Calico marks milestone house renovation

Calico Homes has renovated its 200th empty home in Burnley since launching the project in 2017.

The Empty Homes Programme was formed in 2017 by The Calico Group and Burnley Borough Council with funding by Homes England with work being carried out by Burnley-based construction company, Ring Stones.

In 2021, Burnley was estimated to have 1,832 empty properties while the town also faced an urgent housing need.

The scheme has received positive feedback by Homes England and by residents and communities due to positive results in reducing anti-social behaviour and improving living standards in poorer neighbourhoods.

Last year, 15 properties were refurbished and let to new tenants. Now as the programme enters its seventh year, with another 15 to be refurbished by March 2024, Calico Homes has announced that up to 30 more properties will be purchased and renovated across Burnley – bringing the total number of homes to more than 200.

Ring Stones has created 20 employment opportunities for workers in the local area including apprenticeships, upskilling tradespeople and a site manager who has received specialist training in renovations of older properties through the scheme. Ring Stones has also used several local contractors and sourced all materials through suppliers in Burnley.