Housing Improvement Work Moves to Johnstown Area

Hundreds of council tenants in a Wrexham village are set to receive improvement work to their properties as part of a massive modernization programme.

Around 260 properties in Johnstown are being offered new kitchens and bathrooms which will be installed over the next few months. The improvements are part of Wrexham Council’s extensive project to ensure all its properties achieve the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020.

An open day was held recently at Johnstown Community Centre where tenants were invited to come and the meet the contractors carrying out the work and view the units and fittings which their properties will soon be receiving.

Council tenant, Karen Mitchell, said “I’m really looking forward to having the new kitchen and bathroom installed now that I’ve seen what they look like. I’m very impressed with the quality and designs. It’s a massive improvement on what I’ve currently got and I’ve been able to choose the colour of the tiles and the units and worktops, which was a nice surprise.”

Local Member for Johnstown, Cllr David A Bithell, added: “The extensive work being carried out to bring properties up to standard is very positive news for council tenants and I’m delighted the kitchens and bathrooms programme is now about to start in Johnstown.

“Having a new kitchen and bathroom installed can inevitably cause a lot of upheaval but it makes such a difference once the work is complete so I hope as many tenants as possible will take up the offer.

“The Council work very closely with contractors to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and that tenants are given all the information and help they need to get through the work.”

All council properties in the County Borough will be offered new kitchens and bathrooms by 2020 if required to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Other external and internal improvements such as paths, fences, central heating and roofing work will also be carried out, where required to meet the standard.

Wrexham Council is investing a record £54m on the improvement work in 2016/17. This includes a £7.5m Major Repairs Allowance grant which the Welsh Government awards to local authorities to support them achieving the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

More information on the work being carried out to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard can be found on the Council’s website.