First Choice Homes Oldham completes improvement works across town

The landlord has invested around £1.2 million to fit new windows on 454 homes in the Derker area.

The work – which will improve energy efficiency and ventilation in the homes – came following work with Oldham Council and a consultation exercise with customers to understand what investments they would most like to see.  

It is part of a wider programme of works planned by FCHO for properties across Oldham over the next 30 years. 

Contractor Casey undertook the work on behalf of FCHO and created a number of jobs for local people through the project.

Roy Looms, Casey’s Assistant Site Manager, said: “Four local men from the Derker estate and two from just outside it have been employed on site. We also employed one apprentice bricklayer and a work experience operative.”

To keep things local, Casey also employed Oldham-based window installation specialists, Door Doc, as part of its supply chain.

FCHO, with Casey as its contractor, is also building 21 two-bedroomed and 30 three-bedroomed houses on Acre Lane, Derker. The homes will be available on a Rent to Buy basis and are due to be completed in summer 2019.

In Bardsley, FCHO worked with local councillors and listened to customer feedback ahead of launching a programme of works to free up more car parking spaces and cut back overgrown trees.

Maintenance work has been undertaken on 316 trees in the Bardsley and Hathershaw area to remove nuisance branches, and work has been completed to create 17 much needed new car parking spaces on streets in the area. Improvements to road layouts have also been completed.

Residents are now being consulted on FCHO’s next phase of investment in the area, which could see the regeneration of Bardsley Park.

Vinny Roche, Chief Executive at FCHO, said: “We are committed to investing in neighbourhoods across Oldham to improve the standard of existing homes and build new homes.

“We worked in partnership with Oldham Borough Council in formulating and delivering our plans as both organisations are dedicated to improving the lives of people in Oldham.”

 

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