KEIGHLEY social housing group Incommunities has launched a £1 million-plus improvement scheme.

As part of the Decent Neighbourhoods programme, 16 environmental projects are being carried out in Keighley and at Bingley, Shipley and Bradford.

The initiative – due for completion by March next year – includes communal decorating and new flooring, the installation of boundary fencing, resurfacing of car parks and footpaths, guttering and fascia work and the provision of energy-efficient lighting in communal areas.

New metal fencing is being erected around 500 homes at Braithwaite and on paths at the estate.

Work has been completed in Whinfield Avenue and Braithwaite Avenue, where resident Barbara Ward said she is delighted with the result.

"I feel a lot more secure and it has really improved the look of the area," she added.

Incommunities regeneration and housing managers joined, Alex Brown, chairman of the group's Aire Wharfe Local Management Trust, on a tour of Braithwaite to view progress on the estate's £390,000 scheme, which was drawn-up following consultation with tenants.

Their visit also marked Community Impact Week, run by the National Housing Federation to showcase the role of housing associations in transforming neighbourhoods.

Incommunities' assistant chief executive asset management, Jez Lester, said: "The Decent Neighbourhoods programme builds on the group's multi-million pound investment to modernise our customers' homes and improve the areas they live in.

"We have received a lot of positive feedback from residents at Braithwaite, with many saying how the work has given them a greater sense of security and added to the visual appeal of the area.

"We are looking forward to delivering more environmental improvements across the district during the coming months."

Mr Brown said: "During the past 12 years, Incommunities has transformed people's lives by bringing thousands of homes up to a standard in excess of the Government's decent homes standard.

"These environmental works aim to help promote sustainable tenancies, and I was delighted to see first hand how things are progressing."

The programme is being managed by the group's Propertysolutions service.