First phase of Cheshire housing estate revamp begins

Work has started on the transformation of Crewe's Sherborne Road estate designed by Triangle Architects.

The £4.5m project will overhaul Sherborne Road, Haslemere Way, Greenacres and Roedean Walk. Phase one of the scheme, due to be completed by the summer, will include the demolition of 13 properties. Nine homes will be built and 53 existing houses will be remodelled. There will also be more parking spaces for residents and traffic calming measures, alley gates and a children's play area.

Social landlord Wulvern Housing owns and manages the estate and began planning the project 18 months ago.

Resident Sarah Dixon said: "I was one of the first people to move on to the estate in 1970. Back then it was beautiful and the homes were very much sought after. I can't wait for it to be an estate to be proud of again."

Wulvern Housing's regeneration manager, Sue Crum, said: "The aim is to move the layout of the estate away from the 1970s and achieve a more open and spacious design more relevant to today's needs. Working with residents and other agencies we are continuing to develop The Bungalow as a base for community initiatives, bringing services into the neighbourhood to support financial inclusion, lifelong learning, health and family support. Although Wulvern are funding the project, there has been a united effort with Cheshire East, community groups, partnership agencies and most importantly the residents, for support, input and momentum, which will of course continue long after the construction work is complete."

The project team includes Cruden Construction, Poole Dick Associates and Trevena Blake Consulting Engineers.

Ian McHugh, associate director at Triangle Architects, said: "We have worked closely with local residents to remodel the estate by strategic interventions designed to improve legibility of the confusing layout. Houses in the worst parts are being demolished and replaced with new homes which will give the public realm a new shape. Remaining houses will be altered to improve their entrances and outlook to make it feel like a nicer, safer place to live and walk around. The idea is to turn the maze of alleys and meaningless green patches into recognisable urban places with a sense of ownership for the families who live there."