Tarran Homes
North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes Ltd are reviewing properties in the district that were built using non-traditional construction methods, including a property type known as ‘Tarran.’
We have been in touch with people who live in Tarran properties to update them about what’s happening.
If you live in a Tarran property and have any questions, please have a look at the following list – hopefully your query will be covered, but if not, then please get in touch, details below.
Where are Tarran properties?
The council has two estates of Tarran-type bungalows, built after the Second World War using concrete panels. There are just over 100 Tarran homes, in Killamarsh and Eckington. A small number of these are privately owned, having been bought through the ‘Right-to-Buy’ scheme, but most are still council houses.
What is the issue?
Tarrans are built from concrete panels. This causes three problems:
- They are very hard to heat because the walls and the roof are thin and poorly insulated
- The concrete panels, and the joints between them have deteriorated over time, causing some structural problems
- The concrete gives them a poor appearance.
What are we doing about it?
The council and Rykneld Homes are looking at how to tackle the problems to make sure our homes are of a high quality, and are fit to house our tenants for generations to come.
Over the last few months we have been carrying out technical investigations into a sample of Tarran homes in Killamarsh and Eckington to assess what improvements are needed.
We are currently analysing the full results of the technical investigations and we are thinking about what the long-term options for these properties are.
Rykneld Homes has recently written to me, asking to come to visit me before Christmas – what is this about?
Following initial surveys on the Tarran bungalows, it is clear that although the homes are structurally safe and sound, some action will need to be taken over coming months and years.
We are currently thinking about how best to resolve the problems with the homes, and as part of this process we want to speak to all tenants and residents so we understand their individual needs – so to get a full picture we would like to visit all tenants during December 2011. We wrote to tenants during November 2011 to request a convenient time to visit, and these visits will take place during December 2011.
Please note that we will only visit at the time we have agreed with each tenant, and all our officers carry identification from Rykneld Homes Ltd (or from the council) along with a phone number that can be used to check the caller’s identity.
Once we’ve spoken to tenants and fully taken on board the results of the surveys, we will be in a better position to understand the best way forward.
What are the long term options?
We are currently looking at the full results of our technical investigations to assess what the long-term options for these properties are.
Work to repair and upgrade the homes will be one of the options we will need to consider.
Investing in the estates to create new homes which are fit for generations to come is another option.
We will be consulting all tenants on their housing needs before making any decisions – as mentioned above this is why we want to visit all tenants during December 2011, so we better understand their individual needs.
How will it be paid for?
Our ability to carry out the work depends on the council and Rykneld Homes gaining additional funding.
This puts us in the same position as many other councils around the country that are all waiting for funding to invest in their stock.
We believe very strongly in the future of council and social housing. This means that we are committed to investing in our council housing and we are working hard to investigate all possible funding sources.
What about other work, e.g. new kitchens and bathrooms?
The Decent Homes programme will progress in line with the published Estate Delivery Plan and is dependant on funding being made available by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
How serious are the problems with Tarran homes?
On the evidence we have, the Tarran homes are structurally sound and safe.
Some are in need of improvements to the external concrete panelling, which we are carrying out now to keep the properties in good repair in the short-term.
However, structural problems may develop over time if more extensive work is not done, which is why we are now considering the long-term options for improvement.
What will happen to my home?
It’s too early to say. At the moment we are looking at the results of our investigations, and as part of this process we are visiting tenants during December 2011 to talk about their housing needs. Then we will decide on the best way forward.
As soon as we can, we will update you – hopefully during late February/early March 2012 we should have a clearer picture of the best way forward.
If my home is improved, will residents be able to stay in during the work? Might I be asked to move?
Until we have spoken to tenants and decided the best way forward, it is too early to think about the detail of how any improvements would be carried out.
If they are redeveloped, where would residents move to?
Until we have spoken to tenants and decided the best way forward, it is too early to think about what might happen.
In Eckington, I’ve heard about plans to improve the town centre – what are these plans, are they part of the review of the Tarran homes?
During November and December 2011 the council has been carrying out a public consultation on a draft document called the Eckington Development Framework. This is a planning document which aims to improve the look and the feel of the town centre, make better use of land and to encourage new and high quality development and investment in to the town.
The draft Framework is separate to the long-term review of council housing in the district. A series of consultation sessions have been taking place and more information about the Framework can be found at www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/eckington
What happens next with the Tarran homes?
Now that our investigations have taken place, we are considering the possible longer term options for the future of the Tarran homes.
We will be visiting all tenants during December 2011 to discuss their individual housing needs, and hope to in a position to provide another update during late February/early March 2012.
How will residents be involved?
It is very important to the council and Rykneld Homes that we involve tenants so we understand each of their individual housing needs.
This is why we will be visiting all tenants during December 2011. We will also be contacting owner-occupiers.
Over the coming months we will continue to work closely with the community to keep people updated.
When will a decision be made?
A final decision will not be made until we have spoken to tenants – we hope to be in a position to update you during late February/early March 2012.
Any queries about Tarran properties should be directed to Rykneld Homes Regeneration Co-ordinator, details below.
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