Mum moves into first council home built in Poole for 20 years
The first family to become tenants of the first new council homes to be built in Poole for 20 years, could not be more delighted.
Rebecca Lemmard, 33, and her children Keeleigh, 12, and Oakley, 11, were handed the keys of their energy efficient home in Bearwood by Poole Mayor, Cllr Peter Adams in the morning and were due to move in during the evening.
“It’s absolutely lovely,” said Rebecca, of the three-storey, three-bedroom terraced house in King John Avenue.
“I never thought I would have a place like this,” she said.
Moving from two-bedroom private rented accommodation on Canford Heath, Rebecca, who works as a carer, has been sleeping on the sofa for the past year after her children became too old to share.
“I like my room,” said Keeleigh. “I think it’s really good because the rooms have a lot of space in them,” said Oakley.
And the air source heat pump heated house with modern insulation will cost her less to rent and heat than she was paying before.
Borough of Poole has invested £1million in eight new family homes, six of which have been completed, working with Poole Housing Partnership and construction firm CG Fry & Son.
Cutting the ribbon and handing over the keys Poole Mayor, Cllr Peter Adams said: “What is important is not the houses but the people who now have a lovely place to live, provided by the council.”
Joe Logan, chief executive of PHP said: “These fantastic homes set a new standard for council rented properties in Poole.
“Built to a high specification and featuring state-of-the-art energy efficient measures, the homes have been developed with a sustainable future very much in mind.
“The project is just the start of an exciting programme to bring more much-needed affordable housing to Poole.”
Cllr David Brown, who represents Merley and Bearwood said: “There were derelict garages and we have lost a bit of green space – but six families have lovely new homes.”
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