Our customers living in Pennywell have expressed their delight at modernisation works to more than 1,000 homes as part of a major £19million improvement scheme on the estate.
Work on the huge project started back in October 2022, when we partnered with principal contractors RE:GEN to modernise properties using a ‘whole house’ approach.
Customers have benefited from new roofs to their homes and outbuildings, new front door canopies, double glazing, loft insulation, cladding or render on outbuildings, new garden fences and outdoor decoration of properties.
The scheme has seen:
- 1,118 homes upgraded
- 864 new roofs
- 883 dividing fences and 627 new front fences
- 99 wall repairs
- 838 steel gates fitted
- 42 garage conversions
- 828 outhouses rendered
- 905 lofts insulated
- 870 new windows
- 190 new walls
The programme has also seen an estimated £900,000 delivered in Social and Local Economic Value delivered and has also seen a number of Pennywell residents employed in delivering the work as well.
Since the scheme started to the end of June 2024, 349 satisfaction surveys have been carried out with 322 customers very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the works carried out on their properties – giving a 92.3% customer satisfaction rate.
Marc Edwards, Gentoo’s Director of Asset and Sustainability, said: “The Pennywell regeneration project is a £19million investment in 1,100 homes on the estate. We have invested significantly in our existing homes to replace roof coverings, canopies, windows, doors and boundaries which have made homes more energy efficient for our customers.
“We will continue to maintain our homes and make sure our communities and estates are well managed and our customers can enjoy living on the estate.
“The programme is part of our bigger five-year investment plan, with just over £200million being invested in existing homes for customers across the city.”
Customers have expressed their happiness with the work done to their properties.
Rose Taylor, who has lived in her Pennywell home for 52 years, said: “I’ve had new fencing, windows and a new garage roof. It didn’t take long for the works to be done and it has been wonderful. I cannot fault it, the windows are absolutely lovely and the team were really good..
“The work makes a lot of difference. The house is a lot warmer and you can really feel the heat.
“It has been lovely and really made a difference to Pennywell.”
Fellow customer Linda Waterworth added: “We have had new roofs, windows and loft insulation which has made the place much warmer, it’s absolutely much better now.
“I’m very happy with the work, the team were brilliant. Nothing was a bother to them, they just got on with the work effortlessly.”
Jonathan Horner, MD for RE:GEN North East, said: “Winning the Pennywell project was always more than just securing a job for us. The £19 million investment into over 1,100 homes represented a significant commitment to enhancing homes and communities, and we are immensely proud to have played a part in it. Seeing the project now complete, with such high levels of customer satisfaction, is truly amazing.
“Our entire team has worked incredibly hard to deliver the best possible results, and I am delighted with the efforts of every one of them. Beyond the remarkable improvements to the homes, we have also made substantial contributions to social value. From helping to set up The Bread and Butter Thing supporting around 80 families each week, offering employment and training opportunities to local people and Gentoo customers to investing nearly £30,000 in the Pennywell Community Centre through renting a space for our site office. We are proud to have been part of the Pennywell community and to have made a positive impact on so many lives."
During this time, Gentoo and RE:GEN also partnered to launch The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) in Pennywell, a mobile food club providing low cost, nutritious food and toiletries as well as access to services offering advice and support on finances, employment and health. More details can be found here: www.breadandbutterthing.org
