A BUILDING in a Derby city centre street linked to anti-social behaviour and noise has been renovated in a bid to give the area a lift.
Residents of Crompton Street had to cope with unruly behaviour and loud music in the early hours emanating from the former shared house.
One resident had described a tenant as being a "neighbour from hell" and the building had become notorious.
Having listened to the concerns of residents, landlord Steven Baines has invested £70,000 in improvements to the property in a bid to make the area more desirable to tenants and more acceptable to nearby residents.
When the plans were submitted to Derby City Council to convert its six bedsits and communal areas into five self-contained studio flats, there was not one objection.
The building had been formerly been let to Ashbourne-based Faith, Hope and Enterprise. It is an organisation that helps vulnerable adults at risk of being marginalised from society through issues such as addiction or psychological problems. One resident in particular had caused considerable problems and had to be evicted.
Mr Baines continues to let other properties to Faith, Hope and Enterprise but the Crompton Street building, which has been brought up to environmental standards with LED lighting and insulation, is now to be let to private tenants.
Mr Baines, who has owned the building for about nine years, said: "I'm hoping that the residents of Crompton Street will be pleased with the work that's been done.
"Unfortunately, the shared accommodation status of the house led to it becoming very run down and attracted some nuisance tenants over the years, creating a problem for other local residents.
"I listened to residents and, after a viewing of the property with local letting agent Batchelor Pads Lettings, which came as a bit of a shock, I made the decision to empty the house and redevelop the whole place.
"I still work with Faith, Hope and Enterprise and they use my other properties in the city but Crompton Street has been redeveloped for a different clientele."
The front of the building has been rerendered and painted and all five flats are designed for economical living, with low-energy heating and lighting systems and modern fire safety systems.
Each flat also has a phone entry system for added security. New kitchens and bathrooms have been installed, new carpets fitted and easy-clean vinyl has put down in the kitchens and bathrooms.
Donna Batchelor, of Derby-based Batchelor Pad Lettings, advised on the renovation project and is working on letting the flats.
She said: "These studio flats will attract young professionals looking for somewhere to rent close to the city centre in the lower price bracket of under £400 per month."
