Party time as Bristol tenants celebrate flats revamp

A major improvement scheme to upgrade former council flats in Staple Hill has been completed, with tenants invited to a party to celebrate.

The project involved Merlin Housing Society renovating 238 flats in Nelson Road and Pendennis Road.

Merlin took over South Gloucestershire Council's entire housing stock in February 2007 after a ballot of tenants, and pledged to spend £70 million on improvements to the houses, flats and bungalows.

Under its Decent Homes Programme, work on the Staple Hill flats was carried out over the past year by building firm Rok, which fitted 111 kitchens, 62 bathrooms, new windows and front doors, and, at one of the blocks, a new roof.

Once completed, Rok threw a party for tenants to mark the end of the work and to thank them for their patience.

Andy Graham, director of investment at Merlin, said: "Our Decent Homes Programme continues to go from strength to strength and the completion of the works at the Staple Hill flats is an important milestone.

"This was the single biggest piece of work in the programme due to the number of properties on the estate.

"More than 95 per cent of our homes now meet or exceed the Government's decent homes standard and we are on track to ensure that all properties meet the standard by the end of 2010."

Under the scheme, tenants will have more efficient central heating and better windows, leading to more efficient and warmer homes.