AFTER years of uncertainty, residents on the long-suffering Copley Close Estate will benefit from a whopping £50million of improvements.

Ealing Council announced at a cabinet meeting last week that it is pushing forward with the scheme, which will benefit all 626 homes on the Hanwell estate.

People have spent the last 10 years campaigning for changes to be made.

The previous administration at Ealing identified Copley Close in 2008 as one of several sites in need of regeneration, but the process stalled after one set of plans was deemed unworkable. But basic improvement works have now started, and the whole scheme is due for completion by the end of 2017. The council will soon consult with people over the best way to improve housing and facilities.

The sheltered housing blocks at the north end of the estate will be the first to be refurbished this month.

Jackie Sear, leader of residents’ group EASE, said: “That will be fantastic but I understand that it will be spent over a period of some years. I haven’t been told anything official but obviously it’s about time that after 10 years of campaigning people are starting to see a turn around. As I have said before, until residents start seeing change then we’ll have to wait and see.”

Hitesh Tailor, Ealing Council’s housing leader, said: “I’m delighted with this positive decision, which is excellent news for residents. We are not only improving the standard of people’s homes, we are also building a new community and a place where people want to live.”

The council said it may also build new homes for affordable rent, with the possibility of some shared ownership properties or discounted sales.