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Search forBulldozers flatten community spirit
Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 09:20
People living on the Coalville estate in Weston Coyney, near Longton, will now be forced out of their homes as part of a £55 million scheme to transform the estate.
Housing regeneration agency Renew North Staffordshire has been working on demolishing, rebuilding and improving houses on the former mining estate since 2004, alongside developer Compendium Group and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
They had planned to complete the demolition of 250 sub-standard homes and the construction of about 280 new houses by next summer.
But in March, families won the right to a public inquiry into the plans, which was held in July.
And Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has now confirmed that the land can be compulsory purchased by the council.
John Stewart, lives in Cross Street, which is in the demolition area.
The 54-year-old said: "I've lived in this house since 1972, and before that I lived with my father two streets away from the age of 11.
"I'm not surprised that the compulsory purchase order is going ahead.
"During the inquiry, I felt they just dismissed our arguments. It was a foregone conclusion.
Gordon Gittins, aged 71, who lives in East Street, will not be directly affected by the demolition plans, but has been against the compulsory purchase order (CPO) from the beginning.
He said: "I think it's disgusting that the CPO is going ahead. They have totally destroyed our community on this estate.
"How can they knock 200-odd houses down and build only 52 so far, and then say they have done it for the benefit of the community?"
During the inquiry some residents said they felt the prices offered under the terms of the order were unfair and others added that they felt they were being forced out.
Weston and Meir North ward member, councillor Michael Coleman, pictured, who has spearheaded the objections to the scheme, said: "We feel they have taken a sledgehammer to that community and have smashed it."
The decision by Ms Blears means the city council can now complete its regeneration plans of the area.
The five-year programme, which began last March, will provide 278 new homes for sale, rent or shared ownership.
Fifty-two new properties have been completed and are occupied, and the second phase – with 42 properties – is due to be completed next year.
The council has said possession of the remaining homes in the demolition area will be undertaken over a period of time, and could take several years. Eighty-one per cent of the community supported the masterplan of the proposals.
Councillor Adrian Knapper, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "We understand the concerns of people who raised objections. The council, Renew North Staffordshire and the Compendium Group will continue to work with affected residents to help them move into suitable alternative accommodation."
EMPTY: Homes on the Coalville estate.
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