by John Prince
It has been confirmed this week that the refurbishment of Pybus Court in Hornsea is to last until at least next spring.
The sheltered housing complex in Southgate faces one of the town’s main roads, and scaffolding and large wooden hoardings have already gone up along the front and around the back.
Part of the pavement has been closed off to pedestrians, and both Walker Lane and part of Back Southgate are currently closed to vehicles.
Motorists needing to get to Mere Side or the Queens Gardens area will now have to take alternative routes down Chambers Lane, Hillerby Lane or Scalby Place further along the road.
East Riding Council has given a timeline on when the work should be completed.
The installation of the scaffolding should be done by the end of this month, with the replacement of roof coverings, installation of PV panels and new windows being finished in stages up to early 2027.
The scaffolding should be gone by early 2027 with the project set to be completed after Easter next year.
However, they have said that these dates are dependent on the weather, and where high winds may slow the work down for safety reasons.
In a statement the council said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council, via contractor Hobson and Porter, are currently in the process of refurbishing the interior of Pybus Court, which was first constructed in the 1980s.
“When completed, it will have 11 one-bedroom flats and two, two-bedroom flats. It will ensure that the building is fit for purpose, including modern energy efficiency, PV (solar) panels and sound insulation, and robust and modern finishes.
“Due to the age and condition of the roof, the council has taken the opportunity to carry out roof replacement works at the same time as the installation of the new PV panels, making efficient use of the scaffolding already in place.
“This extends the working time of the scaffolding until December but should prevent the need for construction in future years. Construction timelines are also dependent on weather conditions, where high winds may slow work for safety reasons.
“Safety is of paramount importance, and scaffold board hoardings have been installed following reports of young people attempting to access the site. Some adjacent footpaths and streets are closed off to both vehicles and pedestrians until December.
“This is because scaffolding extending into the roadway make it impossible for a car to pass through safely.
“It is also to keep pedestrians safe, due to operatives and materials working at height in this location.
“These much-needed housing developments will ensure that the people utilising this sheltered accommodation are placed within an appropriate environment, suited to their needs.
“We thank residents for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience.”
Hornsea town councillors were briefed on the progress of the building work in a meeting last Monday.
Some frustrations from residents living near Back Southgate were noted. One council member explained that apologies had already been offered to those living nearby, while emphasising that the extensive overhaul is unavoidable, stressing: “It’s got to be done because you couldn’t put anybody back in there.”
Reassurances were also given that the contractors were committed to being “good neighbours” and that local heritage would be preserved, with the historic large cobbles along Walker Lane staying put.