"Big" celebration at open day for transformed Thurnscoe homes

Members of Big Local Thurnscoe were joined at the event by MP John Healey, apprentices and representatives of Barnsley Community Build who carried out work at the properties and representatives of Barnsley Council's housing department, Local Trust and Big Lottery Fund. 180594

Big Local and partners Barnsley Community Build have renovated and refurbished the neglected properties in Grange Crescent, Thurnscoe, with help from 16 apprentices.

An open day was held for guests and the public last Friday.

Development worker Alison Vint said: “The houses were in such poor repair that it took several weeks to make them safe enough for trainees to enter at all, and since then they have been completely stripped back allowing experience with reinstatement of internal walls, plastering and the fitting of kitchens and bathrooms.

“Extensive work has also been undertaken externally, with trees being felled and new boundary walls constructed.

“To get them ready for sale, both houses have been painted and new carpets and blinds fitted throughout.

“The properties will be going up for sale in the next few weeks and the proceeds from the sale will be ploughed straight back into the newly formed Thurnscoe Regeneration CIO charity, which will continue to reinvest the money into bringing new housing opportunities into the village.”

She added: “We are delighted that we have finally brought two fantastic family homes back into use in Thurnscoe.

“We are now considering our next move which may well be to continue to refurbish neglected houses or it may involve working with a developer to customise a new build property for a specific use, or even invest in innovative starter homes.”

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey said: “The great thing about Big Locals is that they’re all different.

“In Thurnscoe, they’ve taken over two houses that were derelict, in disrepair and dragging the neighbourhood down.

“You’ve now got homes for local people, instead of an eyesore for those that live nearby it has improved the street and most of all this project has provided on-site training for apprentices and some of them have got jobs from it as well.

“It’s exactly what Big Local is all about.”

Alison, who thanked Barnsley Council and Barnsley Community Build for their support, invited any residents wanting to get involved in future projects to visit www.biglocalthurnscoe.org.uk for more information on how to get in touch.