Work to restore Victorian terraced homes to their former glory is beginning to transform a neighbourhood in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The distinctive façades of 70 houses in Knutton are to be restored as part of a £1.3 million project to breathe new life into the area and raise property values by improving the local environment.

The work is being funded by RENEW North Staffordshire, the housing market renewal pathfinder, and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, with input from English Heritage.

The properties are among 195 terraced houses in the John Street and Cemetery Road area that were used to showcase the work of the local brick manufacturer John Nashe Peake between 1843 and 1939.

The Knutton Terraces Heritage Works project aims to restore damaged decorative brickwork and tiles using materials that complement and enhance the original features. Chimney pots, doors and windows will be also be replaced.

Where appropriate, other architectural features, such as boot scrapers, will be restored. Many of the houses will also benefit from new rear alleyway boundary walls and gates.

Resident Chris White, who has lived in his Chapel Street home for four years, says the project has already ‘brought the neighbourhood together’.

He said: “We are fortunate enough to have had new doors and windows, front and back, a new roof and chimney and boundary walls.

“Everyone is really pleased with how the houses are beginning to look - it will totally transform the area.”

The houses were among those identified as being of value in a heritage characterisation study of North Staffordshire.

The improvements are in line with the Knutton and Cross Heath masterplan, which was supported by the community following extensive consultation in 2005/6.

The masterplan identified Knutton village centre as being in need of support because of the poor condition and low values of its old terraced properties.

Councillor Robin Studd, Newcastle Borough Council portfolio holder for regeneration and planning, said: “The terraced housing in the centre of Knutton is very distinctive, but some of the properties are not in good condition and the architectural features have been damaged over time.

“These houses were once used to showcase the decorative work of a famous brick maker - they can now showcase the way we are harnessing our heritage to successfully regenerate an area.

“The Knutton Terraces Heritage Works project will help raise the values of individual properties and help to restore the character and identity of the area, while significantly improving the quality of the environment in Knutton.”

The project has proved so successful that an extra £175,000 has been allocated so that more residents can enjoy the benefits of renovations to their homes.

Chris Hesketh, conservation architect of Christopher Taylor Design, who is co-ordinating and managing the project on behalf of RENEW North Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted to be working with the residents of Knutton on this heritage-led project.

“There is a real sense of pride developing among the community and a real appreciation of the architectural character of these historic terraced streets.

The end result, we hope, will be the creation of a much improved and visually enhanced Knutton.”