TWO old homes have been given a major refurbishment to bring it up to scratch for future generations and make it cheaper to heat.

Richmond MP and new Chancellor for the Exchequer Rishi Sunak visited the newly redeveloped homes by Broadacres in Welbury, near Northallerton, where new tenant Sharon Adcock gave him a tour of the property.

Broadacres has two semi-detached properties in the village but on both becoming empty last year, the association was faced with having to make a significant investment to bring them up to modern standards.

One option to sell the properties to a private developer or landlord so the money could be re-invested by Broadacres elsewhere would have meant there were no affordable rented homes in the village.

Instead, it decided to give the homes a major redevelopment, including full rewiring, cavity clearance and the installation of new kitchen, fitting them with more energy efficient air source heating systems.

The air source heating is part of the association's affordable warmth strategy, which is resulting in expensive-to-run heating systems at hundreds of its existing homes being replaced by more energy efficient, cheaper heating.

Mrs Adcock, who works for DEFRA and lives with her husband and two children, said: "We were living in Northallerton but were seeking to move to a more rural environment. We put our names on the waiting list and were delighted when we were offered one of the properties in Welbury.

“The new heating systems means the house always feels warm and it’s nice to know that it’s more environmentally friendly, and a lot cheaper, than having oil-fired heating.

“We’ve also got superfast broadband, which is important to me as I work from home, and the village generally has a real sense of community. We couldn’t be happier.”

Gail Teasdale, chief executive of Broadacres, said: “As part of its corporate strategy, Broadacres is continuing to build new affordable homes across our operating area of North Yorkshire.

“But we also realise the importance of ensuring our existing homes continue to be safe secure and warm.

"Our customers told us that keeping warm in their homes is a major problem particularly with rising energy bills.

“Our affordable warmth programme is addressing this and involves a range of measures including heating upgrades, insulation improvements and window and door replacements.

“At Welbury we saw the opportunity to redevelop the last two affordable homes in this lovely village, make them more energy efficient and ensure rural communities like this are sustained for future generations.”

Mr Sunak said: “Sustainable rural communities depend on having a range of property available - including homes for rent like these in Welbury which are also, thanks to Broadacres’ green investment, affordable to run too.”

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, who visited to see the scheme first hand, said: “Broadacres’ work is a great example of the positive impact housing associations have on their residents’ lives.

“By improving the energy efficiency of their homes, Broadacres are reducing tenants’ fuel bills, helping tackle climate change and investing in vital skills.

“What’s more, by providing affordable homes, housing associations play a vital role in keeping communities alive, especially in rural areas.”