Cash secured to demolish homes (From The Northern Echo)

Cash secured to demolish homes

3:13pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Stockton News

New money is found for regeneration scheme TOWN planners have announced new money has been found to continue with a controversial scheme to demolish dozens of homes.

The £5.5m regeneration plans for the Parkfield and Mill Lane area of Stockton has run into trouble in recent months.

First, the scheme was halted halfway through owing to unexpected Government cutbacks, which left some residents still living in streets with many homes earmarked for demolition.

Then one family's demand to receive more money for their home from Stockton Borough Council made national headlines. The story of Stephen Cooper, 52, and his family's stand to receive at least £10,000 more for their Buchanan Street home than the £55,000 offered by the council, and their life in an abandoned, vandalised street with no hot water, received national attention.

The council's cabinet had agreed the use of compulsory purchase powers to buy about 12 outstanding properties if negotiations with owners were not successful.

But the authority has now secured £1.52m extra money from the Government and the council's cabinet committee has committed to matching that money.

Councillor Steve Nelson, who has special responsibility for housing, has said most residents are very supportive of the regeneration plan.

The council began to acquire and demolish the first of 263 houses in Buchanan Street, Dean Street, Tarring Street and Worthing Street in 2006. But plans to continue the work stalled last year when the Government announced cuts to its housing market renewal budget.

With the new money secured, the authority will shortly invite tenders for demolition companies to clear another 52 houses.

Eventually, the council hopes affordable homes will be built in the area and the Tees Valley Housing Association has already secured £500,000 to build 20 homes for rent.

Coun Nelson said: "This is very positive news for the Parkfield and Mill Lane area because it means we can begin to make some visible improvements soon.

"A t a recent consultation event, local people were able to give their views on the plans. Most were very supportive and would like to see things progress as quickly as possible."

Katie Highfield, 24, a mother-of-three who lives in a rented home with her children, aged six, four and one, said: "I would be over the moon if they compulsory purchased this house from my landlord.

It is full of mice; it's no place for small children. I wish he would just accept the offer."

But Philip Lodge, who also rents his home, is happy to stay put after his landlord invested money in renovating the house before the compulsory purchase order was issued.