Residents get £200,000 to improve homes

Private houses in Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, were found to be below the standard threshold for decent homes.

Some were inadequately insulated and had no central heating while others were using outside toilets.

The results of the survey, carried out by Wear Valley District Council, has enabled residents to use central government money set aside when Eldon Lane was given status as a regeneration area in 1999.

The cash boost will be used for repairs and updates to the properties.

Richard Roddam, housing strategy manager with Wear Valley District Council said: "The government regeneration funding is aimed at improving the area in general.

"With it we can do major repairs, remove any hazards and improve any sub-standard conditions.

"Some homes don't even have central heating, it's shocking to think that that still happens."

A total of 2,800 private homes across the district will be offered the survey with 365 so far carried out.

Mr Roddam says more funding or individual repair grants could be made available and encouraged as many residents as possible to take part.

He said: "The survey will gather information that can be used to direct resources and develop such schemes as free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and housing repair grants.

"We will also use this information as a case to ask the government for more money to be allocated to the area."

Meanwhile Dale and Valley Homes will start work on Watergate Estate in Crook to bring council-owned homes up to the national standard.

Jack Hurst, assistant director at Dale and Valley, said homes will be assessed on an individual basis. "The works have commenced in Ennerdale Drive as a pilot scheme and will set the standard for the rest of the estate," she said.

"The work will consist of new bathrooms, kitchens, electrical rewires, and heating."

All other properties on Watergate Estate will be improved before September 2009.