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Wakefield Regeneration Works

Wakefield sets new standards in home improvement
Scheme: To refurbish and modernise thousands of homes to the government's Decent Homes Standard
Client: Wakefield District Housing (WDH)
Partners: NPS, Portobello Community Forum, Groundwork Wakefield, Wakefield Homebuilder, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Description: Bramall Construction, under the name of our parent company Keepmoat, has been working since September 2005 on a massive project to refurbish and modernise more than 11,000 homes in the Normanton, Cutsyke, Ackworth, Oakenshaw, Belle Vue, Portobello, Girnhill, Altofts, and Glasshoughton areas amongst others of Wakefield.
During the phased programme of works, 'The Wakefield Standard', which is higher than the government's own 'Decent Homes' standard, has been implemented. The 'Wakefield Standard' includes high quality PVCu double glazed windows, modern fitted kitchens, a fire installed in living or dining rooms and a full central heating system, a modern fitted bathroom suite, modern electrical systems and high quality, secure front and back doors with brass fittings.
The improvement and modernisation work has been extremely varied as not all properties required all of the works to be carried out, but includes new windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms, complete re-wires, new central heating and replacement of old gas fires and back boilers with modern and efficient electric fires. Other work has included rendering external walls.
Local unemployed people and other disadvantaged groups have been given a path into the construction industry through the Wakefield Homebuilder programme, which has provided comprehensive training in partnership with Groundwork. The programme has helped deliver sustainable employment for local people, with measurable new skills and relevant qualifications.
Trainees have been recruited through events such as careers days at the Wakefield Wildcats Stadium and through working closely with schools throughout the area. The trainees recruited cover all aspects of roles within the business from site and trade staff to office based employees.
In March 2008, Keepmoat won three separate 'Considerate Constructor' awards for the regeneration and home improvement works carried out in Wakefield. Judges praised the consideration shown towards local communities, tenants and the environment by our team
Under the Keepmoat name, Bramall has also worked with our partners to make a lasting contribution to a series of community projects in Wakefield. Our site team completely restored the Portobello community centre, providing new floors, walls, new kitchen units and toilet facilities to ensure that local people could enjoy the centre for many more years to come.
We have sponsored the local football team, Bella United and the Sandall All Stars majorettes at Portobello, donating portable goal posts and kits.
Bramall has redecorated the Cutsyke Community Centre, provided proper access for disabled people and revamping the computer room, installing new plug sockets and connection points for internet access. The thriving centre is now widely used by the local community for computer classes, internet lessons, arts and crafts and cookery.
Bramall are currently about to complete refurbishment works on the 5,000th property in Wakefield.
Value: £170million approximately
Completed: Bramall, working as Keepmoat, are doing all we can to try to ensure that all work is completed by 2010.