| Graham Jones |
21-05-2005 19:19 |
Re: East Accrington/phoenix projects...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Busman747
Over the past year, I have come to love the stone-build terrace houses in Accy. As I drive along Blackburn Road and see the more modern brick homes I almost cringe, they seem so out of place!
In most cases, the outside walls are good even though they are 100 years old and an investment of probably less than £30,000.00 on each would regenerate the houses for decades to come.
On the other hand, if someone with money was to gain them through compulsory purchase, demolish them and build "modern" houses, they could either sell them at premium prices (in excess of 6 figures) or rent them out to those that can afford them for "southern" prices as they will be "in a desirable area!" :(
In essence, what project Phoenix is doing is to take away the affordable housing available in Accy and replacing it with nondescript housing that is priced out of reach of the average worker in the area.
I presently live in Primrose Street, Accy. and at some point in the past, H.B.C. spent a lot of money rebuilding exterior walls/railings and cleaning stonework and it is a pleasure to drive into my street now even though the houses are close to the age of houses earmarked for demolition just down the road.............
Perhaps one of the problems stems from the fact that H.B.C. have always been unable to control the lack of interest from landlords who "unofficially" rent out their premises without regard for the law of the land. There are many safeguards in place, but in Accy, action is seldom taken, therefore properties deteriorate..........
What Accy needs is "guts leadership!"
1) Invest money into every house in ****** street,
2) Put pressure on landlords to maintain their houses to a reasonable condition,
3) If a "tenant" fails to look after the property he/she is in, pressurise the landlord to kick them out, give the landlord financial backing to do this!
4) If a landlord shows no interest, GET A COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER! and be able to buy out the landlord (at present compulsory purchace prices)
5) Make it illegal to privately arrange a tenants agreement...........go through the legal requirements...or don't rent!
Accy could be good again, but it needs councillors that are prepared to force home the legal requirements of home owning and to kick out those who regard Accy as an "easy target"
Spend 2 years getting rid of the "undesirables" and relish in the admiration of the true Acciers!!!!!!
You want my vote, and countless others, Thats THE WAY TO GET IT!
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Accy does need guts leadership. Unfortunately unpopular decisions are unpopular.
The 2004 Housing Act is a big stick at landlords and introduces licensing and Env. Health standards. The major problem is Salford and Manchester are already implementing this aggressively so bad landlords are looking elsewhere in the region to invest their money. Theree is speculation that some of this is comming to Hyndburn and that also families from manchester may be relocated in Hyndburn by landlords.
However only excellent [5/5] like Blackburn or good [4/5] councils like Burnly can implement the scheme. Hyndburn is average [3/5] and cant. The Hynd. Labour Party will try and get the scheme implemented fully in association with one of these two authorities as we are aware of what is happening.
Poor developments are a blight the Govt is insisting Councils work with CABE to prevent this. £30k is about right but there is an oversupply of terraced houses by about 5000. Obviously this type of investment is needed and will take place in all other cases but not through grants but loan equity schemes and some percentage grant, though this has all yet to be decided by the Conservatives.
Most of your suggestions are contained within 2004 Housing Act which comes into force this autumn. Landlords whose property is unfit may have it taken from them for upto 5 years and works carried out by the licensing authority [the council] and charged back to the landlord. The scheme is self financing and Manchester are charging landlords for each property £120 approx per year in licensing and enforcement costs. The worry is poor landlords moveout to places like here for an easy ride.
Drug dens can now be shut without any defence objection or appeal and taken into management based on police & residents cumulative complaints.
As for who will implement this, thats a political decision. You will have to decide who is tougher locally, Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat. I think the answer is obvious though. |
