The contract involves £6.2m final phase external cladding improvements to the façade of the two multi-storey tower blocks – Abbey Court and Cornwall Court – to regenerate six residential blocks.
As part of the project, the external appearance of the tower blocks will be layered with a high performance external insulation added beneath a new aluminium and terracotta cladding system to enhance the exterior.
The old windows of the building will be replaced with aluminium and timber composite units. The new windows, complementing the new façade, will improve the thermal efficiency of the buildings and minimise fuel costs.
The scheme will replace all the enclosed balconies with glass and stainless steel balustrades.
The roofs of both towers will be improved to redesign the structure, creating upper and lower roof levels to house a new Eco-Pod pre-fabricated plant room with photovoltaic cells, which will provide part of the power supply for communal areas in Abbey Court.
At Cornwall Court, the Eco-Pod will incorporate solar heating panels to augment the building’s hot water system.
Internally, the common areas of each building will be upgraded with new fire doors and re-decorated throughout with new floor finishes on the staircases.
Additionally, the scheme includes hard landscaping and external works including new parking, residents’ allotments, secure bicycle stores, and electric car charging points.
Andy Mallice, ISG’s Northern regional managing director, said “Modernising and improving the environmental performance and aesthetic appeal of existing social housing is a key objective for providers across the UK. At a fraction of the cost of new build solutions, these retrofit projects not only make economic sense but are also delivered without displacing tenants.”
