Cash bid to demolish unloved estate homes
HUNDREDS of houses could be demolished to transform an estate where residents are living in freezing homes.
Bucknall is one of seven areas earmarked for a radical overhaul, which could see modern properties and improved community facilities being built in 2013.
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PLANS: Terry Johnson, of Lilydale Road, Bucknall, talks to neighbourhood renewal manager Phil Dawson. Below, Karen Bowen.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will bid for £177m of Government cash to transform the estate and others like it in Abbey Hulton, Blurton, Chell Heath, Fegg Hayes, Meir and Norton.
The first in a series of information events about the bid was held at The Community House in Townsend yesterday, and residents said they are desperate for change now.
Karen Bowen, aged 48, chairman of Townsend Residents' Community Association, said: "The houses on this estate are well past their sell by date. They are cold, with old fashioned heating and drafts. The cladding is cracking and falling off the outside walls.
"This bid is a positive thing to look forward to, but it is all dependent on Government money and that is never safe.
"It's a wish list and everybody knows this, but it does no harm to wish."
The scheme could deliver up to 700 new homes across the city with 500 being replacements for those that will be demolished.
Neighbourhood renewal manager Phil Dawson said: "This is the beginning of the process and it is purely an information stage.
"We are holding community events to give an outline for the seven estates."
"We want to know what types of housing are unpopular, which houses are past their best and how to improve the communities.
"We have a good record of housing schemes and we can build a good relationship with the communities. When it comes to securing money, we will give it our best shot."
Former bus driver, Terrance Johnson, aged 46, of Lillydale Road, said: "The houses need to be knocked down so we can start again. They are falling apart. I have a freezing cold downstairs toilet, which is mouldy.
"We'd love to have a bungalow, because I have problems with my spine, but I'm worried building may not start until 2014, and my wife probably won't be around to see that.
"I went to the information day to find out what the council knows and it seems like that's not much at the moment."
Other community information days about the plans will take place at; Norton Community Centre, St Nicholas Avenue, Norton, on Wednesday; St John's Welcome Centre, Greasley Road, Abbey Hulton, on Thursday; Winifred Gardens, Ingleby Road, Blurton, on Friday; Bentilee Local Centre, Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, on Monday; Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes Residents' Centre, Chell Heath Road, Chell Heath, next Tuesday; House on the Square, Meir Square, Meir, next Thursday.
4 Comments
by linda lawton, bucknall
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:08PM
“i have lived in "tin town" for 20 yrs and i have had my house brick skimmed 15 yrs ago, i have never had a problem with damp or the coldness. but the silly man who led the discussion just told residents of the positive effects, not what's really going to happen. your home will be knocked down, rebuilt but not in the same spot, (thats if they even have you back),your garden and house will not be as big as they are now, they will be much smaller.i was told that the government would give you so much money to buy your home back,interest free but there is no guarantee of this unless i can afford it which i cannot. its blackmail if we refuse this scheme townsend will get nothing to help with roads, lighting etc, so its blackmail. they couldnt show any plans but just kept comparing this estate to the coalville estate, and he stated that everybody on coalville was happy with the scheme , well i know of several people who ended up been turfed out of their homes,and are devasted even now that they lost their homes and memories.he also said that its hard to mortgage these houses, well myself and plenty of others have done it.
i suggested that they brick skimm the houses up this would save thousands and people would benifit from this, without moving out of their homes my answer was a straight NO, and do you know why? because they want to build more houses eg. 2 tin houses together knocked down they would build 3-4 houses.this is not a good idea more so for the home owners, who are really going to lose out. please if you have any questions,make sure you get the answers in writing, but i bet they won't give your answer in writing. its so corrupt.”
by Mr Brown, bucknall
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 6:20PM
“ive been in the building game for about 12 yrs... at the time this house was all i could buy for the money i had... these tin houses aint that good at all... i think my house is nice but i think thay could do with some work.... the wall are crap the insulation in the walls are crap... if your kids play hard like... play fighting... jumping on the beds... slamming doors could couse the walls to crack... everything shakes... you no when someone comes though the door.... and next door... couse the house shakes more than a annsummers party... u feel me... and in the winter you get up to go to the toilet... and the cold starts punching you in your face.... and bitting your ars... no no no... no good... you use more gas than jumbo jet at xmas time... and the underground drains need doing thay must be cracked all over the estate.... its like a big girl sitting on a kids chair... its no good.... thats all i have to say... bless”
by mrs c kudlek, bucknall
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 2:14PM
“re to the houses being knocked down am sorry i but i do not agree to this i have lived in my house for 25 years i bought it and spent a lot of money doin it up to a very high standard and i love it these house were built as temery housing and have stood for more than 60 years and they will stand for another 60 years why if the council want to improve the aera brick skin the houses it has been done on others and in some aereas is still happening theres is no damp what so ever in the houses and people can still get a mortgage on them a lot of council tenants will be up for it but i dont think the people that own them will be so leave tin town as it is just clean the area up PLEASE”
by jacqueline walsh, bucknall
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:21PM
“hi to whom it may concern, its a great idear to renew townsend i am a new business with new input to the community, health and wellbeing it would be great if i can get known for what i do i am on the grounds of mitchell high i am a holistic and beauty therapist, and want people in the community to enjoy relaxation treatments and be pamper you would be happier in yourselfs feel good look good is my salon,i have more business idears.hope this is good news thank you”