Council tenants move into newly completed affordable homes in Lindley as part of “Excellent Homes for Life” project

Almost all of the new affordable “Excellent Homes for Life” homes built at the Willwood Avenue site in Oakes have now been occupied.

Work began on site at the start of the year with building getting underway in March. The finished homes were signed off in October.

Just one home remains unoccupied but the tenants will be taking up residence shortly.

The six new homes built in a two story block are part of the “Excellent Homes for Life” project – which aims to build 466 new affordable council homes for rent over the next two and half years on 27 sites across the borough.

All the homes are being built to high environmental standards. They are energy efficient, well insulated and use less water, which makes them cheaper to run and also reduces carbon emissions. The government’s Code for Sustainable Homes standard is being used as a basis for including environmental improvements in the design of the new homes.

The homes also meet the government’s Lifetime Homes standard which means the homes include design features which minimise the need for changes to be made to a building if the tenant’s needs change over time.

All homes have a good level of security to help people feel safe in their home and immediate environment. There is external lighting and the homes have doors, windows and locks which meet the high standards required by the Secured by Design standard.

Wates Living Spaces as part of the “Rengenter Excellent Homes for Life” consortium established by Kirklees and which also includes the John Laing Company was responsible for the building of the new homes.

Cllr Cahal Burke said:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome the new tenants to the area and to invite them to get in touch if they need any help while they are finding their feet.

“The Homes being built at Willwood Avenue are very much needed to help deal with the shortage in both affordable homes and council properties which Kirklees is currently struggling with following years of sell offs and underinvestment.

They are of the highest spec in terms of their design having been built to the Sustainable Homes standard, Lifetime Homes standard and the Secured by Design standard. No doubt they will last a very long time and I am sure that people will enjoy living in them and in the area in general which is very friendly with lots going on.