Gateway - Making Hull a great place to live

A warm welcome

Ray and Shirley Turner got the best stamp of approval for their new home when their grandaughter said: "Nana its so much nicer here".

The couple were among the first residents to be moved into the first new homes completed on Ings by Gateway - the organisation set up the revive Hull's housing market.

Ray, 74, and Shirley, 71, were thrilled to be in their new home. Their prvious property on Mitcham Road is one of the 270 Caspon homes to be demolished and replaced with new housing.

The Caspon properties are well known for their expensive heating and problems with damp, which have caused residents a lot of concern.

Ray said: "The under floor heating is too expensive to run. We are both retirees and just couldn't afford it."

Their new bungalow has central heating, double glazing and off-road parking as well as a fully-fitted kitchen, two bedrooms, living room and bathroom. They also have French doors opening from the kitchen into the garden and their own patio.

Chevin Housing Association - which built the new homes in partnership with Gateway - has also provided them with a garden shed and washing line.

Shirley said: "We are very happy to be in our new home at long last, it has definately been worth the wait. We've had the whole family round and they just love it.

The bungalows are part of the first properties to be completed on the site. They make up part of the first phase of new homes on the estate, which includes a total of 27 properties for sale, rent and shared ownership. When the first 27 homes are completed, work will begin on phase two, which will see the development of further 32 properties.

Shirley said: "We feel very lucky to have got this new home and i feel safe and secure here. I thought i would be very upset after we left our old house but i feel at home here.

"I would like to thank the team for all their hard work especially Melanie from the East Hull Regeneration Team who has been a big support.No problem is too small for her and she has got all our problems sorted out very quickly."