AN estate in Ellesmere Port is to get a major refurbishment after the Council’s Cabinet agreed to move forward with plans to improve people’s homes.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced its £8m plan for the Sutton Way estate to enhance the lives of people living there.

The project includes improving the exterior of the blocks of flats, including the reconfiguration of some blocks and introduction of new buildings, carrying out environmental work, improving car parking, bin storage and security, and ensuring the homes are better protected from noise internally.

Cllr Angela Claydon, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The homes at Sutton Way already meet the decent homes standard but we’re aware that the design of the blocks encourages anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.

“Residents have told us that the communal areas are dark and unwelcoming and noise travels between flats and communal areas and we’ve listened to them. These issues are resulting in a number of residents moving away and we want to ensure the whole community feel safe and protected.

“The provision of good quality and affordable housing that meets the needs of everyone is one of the Council’s key priorities. We’re investing £8 million in our Sutton Way proposals to create a clean, safe and sustainable neighbourhood that supports a vibrant and healthy community.”

Since ForHousing took over the management of the Council’s housing stock, extensive work has been undertaken at Sutton Way and other sites to improve them. Sutton Way has 10 blocks of flats, the majority of which are Council owned.

A multi-agency team was set up and architects appointed to design options to address residents’ issues and concerns. The community interest company We Make Places was appointed to engage with residents and discuss the options, design features and ensure the final proposals met residents’ needs.

Extensive consultation has already been undertaken with residents to capture their views and make sure plans address key issues in their area. Wider consultation and engagement will also be carried out in early December and continue throughout the life of the project. Feedback has been positive and residents are pleased to see plans for investment to Sutton Way being brought forward.

One leaseholder of Sutton Way, Mr Edwards, said: “The proposed improvement plans look very good. Any improvements made would be a much needed boost to the area.”

In addition to the physical changes planned, the project also aims to improve health and wellbeing and rejuvenate the sense of community at Sutton Way. Residents have suggested ideas to enhance the area such as exercise areas, community vegetable plots, community play spaces, seating areas, and community sewing and growing groups.

The project will help realise some of these suggestions by incorporating resident feedback into design development and will work with partner agencies to support residents to set up groups.

Sharon Wallace, Strategic Housing Lead at ForHousing, said: “This significant investment in the regeneration of Sutton Way wil l make a real difference to the local area.

“ForHousing is delighted to be working in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, local tenants and other agencies to support the delivery of the programme, as part of our commitment to improving lives and creating vibrant communities.”

The programme will be delivered over a three year period, the detail of which will be drawn up following consultation with tenants.