£72m improvement work planned for Wandsworth

Council tenants and leaseholders in Wandsworth are set to benefit from a series of improvements to their homes and neighbourhoods worth £72 million over the next three years.

This is on top of £24 million being spent on improvements this financial year.

Councillors will be asked to approve the programme of enhancements and investment to the council's housing stock at a committee meeting on 23 January.

The programme has also been boosted by additional funding, which had not previously been announced, worth an extra £30 million.

Current forecasts show that over the next three years around £41 million will be spent on major refurbishments like new roofs and windows.

In addition more than £11 million will be spent on heating repairs and upgrades, just under £3 million on new lifts, £2.9 million on rewiring and other electrical infrastructure improvements, £1.2 million on CCTV and other security measures, over £3 million on adaptations for the disabled and £1.6 million on better sheltered housing for the elderly.

Around £8 million is also being spent on the council's innovative Hidden Homes scheme which transforms vacant areas on housing estates like laundries and storage areas into accommodation, while another £6 million will also be spent on improving kitchens and bathrooms in council-owned properties.

Residents who will see major refurbishment works include those living on the Ashburton, Clarence Lane, Ryde Vale, Savona, Sporle Court, Surrey Lane, Somerset and York Road estates.

The total level of housing investment in future years is also likely to increase as additional projects are added to the capital programme between now and 2016.

The money to pay for these improvements will come from tenants and leaseholders themselves. The funding comes from the Housing Revenue Account which contains all the monies collected in rents and service charges over many years. By law this cash cannot be spent on anything other than improving the council's housing stock.

Wandsworth's executive member for housing Cllr Paul Ellis said: "We have unveiled a huge programme of improvements to the borough's council estates. This investment will make a big difference to the daily lives tens of thousands of people.

"People living on our estates will benefit from major upgrades to lighting, heating and security around their homes. Many blocks will also get brand new roofs, windows and lifts and there will be new kitchens and bathrooms fitted in a large number of properties.”