PEARL'S first housing project is transforming key entrance to Nelson

Houses on Stanley Street - a key route into the town - are being refurbished and modernised by the Council's Joint Venture company PEARL2 (Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd.)

PEARL2 is a regeneration partnership between Pendle Council and Barnfield Construction, one of the North West's premier contractors. It aims to make Pendle a better place to live, learn, work, play and visit.

This is one of the first housing projects carried out by PEARL2 and other developments are set to follow in Whitefield.

It's hoped many more successful projects across Pendle will follow, such as the refurbishment and new housing development on the previous Lob Lane Mill site in Brierfield.

Brian Cookson, Executive Director (Regeneration), described work in Whitefield as great news for the town.

He said: "It's an exciting programme on the key gateway on our one way system.

"It will make a big difference - improving the image of the town as well as the housing."

 

He continued: "We're restoring houses, which have been boarded up for years, in a heritage friendly way, bringing them back into use.

"It will remove what's been a real blot on the town's landscape."

Brian explained that 14 homes are currently being transformed on Stanley Street. Twelve have been joined to make six spacious double fronted homes.

Fantastic progress has been made on the scheme, which is currently running to schedule and delivering unrivalled quality in a difficult market.

Barnfield Construction, which is carrying out the construction work, is following a heritage accredited scheme and has worked closely with partners throughout the programme.

And PEARL2 and Barnfield's uptake of the Considerate Constructors Scheme has really enhanced the importance of working closely with the local community.

Progress so far includes:

• stripping out the houses
• renewing all floors 
• rebuilding chimney stacks in natural stone, using reclaimed stone where possible 
• rewiring, plastering and cleaning the outside of he buildings using traditional methods and materials
• fitting bespoke timber sash windows, made by Barnfield Construction's in-house joinery shop. They follow criteria set by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the local conservation officer.

The £ 946,000 project is being funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire (formerly Elevate, the Housing Market Renewal and regeneration agency for Pennine Lancashire) and the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

It follows the Council's very successful restoration and modernisation of two boarded up terraces on neighbouring Every Street in Nelson.

As in the Every Street scheme, a mix of two to four bedroomed eco-friendly homes are being created in Stanley Street.

Tim Webber, Director of PEARL2 and Managing Director of Barnfield Construction added: "PEARL2 brings a real opportunity for delivering regeneration schemes right across Pendle.

"Although Barnfield Construction works on a national basis, our head office is based in Nelson - in the heart of Pendle. And we have a real passion to deliver sustainable transformational change.

"The Stanley Street project is the first of many planned schemes right across Pendle and we have taken the opportunity to grab the bull by its horns and deliver an exemplar scheme!

"Barnfield Construction, being based in Pendle, has a real understanding and empathy with the borough's heritage issues.

"Where other contractors may struggle, we fully understand what it takes to deliver regeneration in these difficult times."

Iftekhar Bokhari, Senior Regeneration Officer for Whitefield, said: "This is a really exciting time for Whitefield.

"The Every Street and Stanley Street conversions strike a good balance between offering greater choice in housing, meeting the aspirational needs of the local community and demands for increased energy efficiency. At the same time we're maintaining the heritage of the area.

"With this approach we can create a long-term sustainable community and area - suitable for future generations!"

When work is completed the properties will be sold at open market value.

Priority to buy will be given to residents living in the area affected by ongoing and future development in what's known as the Phase 1 area of Whitefield.