An island building firm has started work this week on a key housing improvement scheme in Hugh Town.
'The refurbishment of Porthcressa Flats is a significant and much needed development,' said Community Services chairman Richard McCarthy. 'It's been a long haul getting this scheme together. But when it's finished, it should make a big difference, not just for residents of the flats themselves but to the appearance of the public realm in the Porthcressa area,' he added.
It was back in the autumn of 2011 that the Council's Community Services committee first looked at a programme of external improvements to the seven unit block at Porthcressa.
However, when the scheme initially went out to tender nobody put in for the work. It was then successfully re-tendered the following year. But in response to further consultation with tenants it was agreed that additional improvements could also be afforded and included. So under European procurement rules there was an obligation on the Authority to go out to tender for a third time.
This process was successfully concluded at the end of last December and local builders Wright Construction have just begun preliminary work.
In recent weeks Housing Officer Ian Hamilton has visited each flat with the builder and a surveyor with the aim of ensuring that all of the tenants know exactly what works are to be undertaken and how they will be affected individually.
Apart from improvements to the flats' facade, walkways and access steps, the properties will now have their own front porches. But that process is going to mean residents having to vacate their premises for a brief period.
Wright Construction aim to finish work on and around the flats by the autumn.