Planning approved in first phase of bpha’s Vista programmes
Ashburnham Court a fifty-five-home high rise in the heart of Bedford has been approved for a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
The building in Ashburnham Road will benefit from a completely new external building fabric, with substantial insulation and thermal efficiency upgrades after planning permission was granted for the works.
Internal and external communal areas will also be significantly improved, and the refurbishment will ensure the longevity and sustainability of the building.
The plans mark the first step of bpha’s long-term Vista project – an exciting new regeneration programme to improve and enhance a number of its tower blocks in Bedford.
Bury Court in Church Lane, located circa 1.5 miles east of Bedford’s town centre, is also set to have similar plans submitted to Bedford Borough Council for planning approval. This will ensure the 1960s-built block continues to be fit for purpose into the future.
That application will also include the potential to increase the number of affordable homes on the site.
“We are delighted to be investing in and improving our tower blocks on Bedford town centre. Discussions with our residents at Ashburnham Court have helped us to identify the keys areas to focus on and will not only help ensure the longevity of the building, but also improve its energy efficiency for the benefit of our customers and for future generations in line with our environmental strategy.”
A tender process to appoint a main contractor for the Ashburnham Court works has begun, with an appointment anticipated by September 2020.