Official opening for Brocklehurst Court
Residents were joined by councillors to mark the official re-opening of Brocklehurst Court in Brampton after a £1 million refurbishment was completed.
The transformation has seen the outdated 1970s building of bedsits and small flats converted into 17 comfortable one and two-bedroom flats.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The work that has been carried out here is part of a major refurbishment programme we have begun to improve housing schemes for older people across the borough.
“Before this work was carried out we struggled to let the bedsits and flats at Brocklehurst Court. Now it is very different. We have had really positive feedback from the residents and the flats are really in demand.”
Each flat has been fitted with a new kitchen and bathroom, the whole building has been rewired, lighting around the communal areas has been improved and a new heating system installed. New windows and entrance doors have also been installed to improve the natural light in each flat.
The communal areas of the building have also been remodelled and refurbished, with an atrium being created to provide more natural light, and additional seating areas added into what were previously dark and lengthy corridors. There is also a laundry room with washing machines and tumble dryers as well as a shelter for mobility scooters.
The outdoor areas have been re-designed to include individual patios for the ground floor flats and Juliette balconies for those upstairs. Raised planting beds and seating areas have been created to encourage residents to garden and make the most of the outdoor space.
The work was designed and managed by the council’s in-house team of architects with the refurbishment carried out by Fortem Solutions. It was completed on time and to budget.
Brocklehurst Court is the first of three refurbishments of older persons’ accommodation being carried out by Chesterfield Borough Council. Work has already been completed at Glebe Court in Old Whittington ready for residents to move back in soon, while Catherine Court in Brampton will be finished in spring 2019.
Extensive internal and external works is also planned to improve blocks of flats on the Grangewood estate.
For more information about accommodation for older people visit: www.onthemove-cbc.org.uk, call On the Move on (01246) 345700 or visit their office on Low Pavement.
