Sandwell Borough Council

Sandwell MBC own and operate more than 30,000 homes across the borough. They have a wide variety of property types including traditional and non-traditional build, high rise flats, hostels, sheltered and general needs housing. Lovell contracts include internal and external works across all property types.

Project

Internal and External Planned Works to houses and low, medium and high-rise flats

Location

Sandwell

Dates

Since 2005 – ongoing

Partner 

Sandwell Borough Council

Generally the homes are occupied and the Lovell teams have to ensure the work is carried out sensitively and safely while the tenants and their families continue with their daily lives, whilst keeping them informed of the current works.

I am really impressed with how the refurbishment has transformed these three previously tired-looking blocks, housing hundreds of our tenants into these amazing, modern-looking homes. It will really lift morale and impacts on the whole neighbourhood, it’s a real success story.

Councillor Joanne Hadley, former Cabinet Member for Homes

Lovell have been working closely with Sandwell MBC since 2005.

The current contracts include:

External Improvement Works 2019 – 2023:

Planned maintenance to housing stock generally include roofs, fascias/soffits, rainwater goods, windows, doors, render and external painting.

Internal Improvement Works 2019 – 2023:

Planned maintenance to housing stock including heating, rewiring, replacement kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms, internal decoration, insulation, fire protection, asbestos removal and communal works.

Lion Farm Estate in Oldbury:

In 2018 we were appointed to carry out the internal and external refurbishment of three, 13 storey blocks of flats and associated landscaping works at the Lion Farm Estate in Oldbury. The works were being done to improve the energy efficiency, lifespan, appearance of the buildings, the comfort of the residents and the appearance of the area.

Outcomes

By employing local labour and SMEs wherever possible, expenditure on the refurbishment project has been reinvested in the local economy, giving it a substantial boost. Using the LM3 tool, we have calculated that for every £1 from the gross project income, an additional £2.31 has been returned to the area.

Community Benefits

During all of the Sandwell projects we engaged with community organisations, schools, employment agencies, Council departments and other stakeholders to ensure we understood their requirements and how we could leave a Lovell Legacy of added value community improvements.

At Lion Farm there were a total of 208 occupied flats and our Resident Liaison team contacting everyone to advise of work taking place, works progress on other blocks and other information about the project. Weekly newsletters were hand delivered to every flat.

Whilst renovating the lifts at Lion Farm, we minimised the time they are out of action and ensured that our staff and operatives were available and willing to help residents with shopping, pushchairs and even mobility scooters.

Lovell have done a fantastic job, we are very, very grateful. The tired old 1980s style kitchen has been completely transformed. These new facilities will now enable us to open a luncheon club for local elderly people and also provide some structured catering training for young people.

Pastor Dave, Hope Church, Oldbury