60 years after ‘Airey-type’ homes were built using prefabricated concrete panels, these homes are getting a desirable make-over. The 1950s era construction were only expected to last a decade. Win Dolan, 62, lives today in a home with her husband Derek on Hebron Avenue. Dolan says she’s live here all her life. “This is the only home I’ve ever known. We used to have a coal fire as we never had radiators when I was young, so you had to decide when you were going to run upstairs to bed at night because it was so cold.” An investment program worth about £400,000 from Isos Housing in concert with Green Deal, provider Cosyseal and specialist contractors Sykes carried out External Wall Insulation (EWI) upgrades on the 48 prefab homes. ##

(Photo credit: Morpeth Hearald)