manchester news
Thursday, 11th August 2005
Residents want homes clearing
Faye Adams
RESIDENTS who are backing council plans to redevelop Ashton’s West End say they want to be allowed to move on.
More than half of homeowners on Fitzroy Street — according to council figures — have welcomed the proposals which will see the terraces bulldozed in favour of more family-sized homes.
Council officers say they have identified a lack of family homes in the area and are intending to demolish 120 properties, including buildings on Kelvin Street and Pottinger Street, to be replaced by 52 larger houses with gardens.
Pam and Mark Walsh, who have lived in their two-bedroomed property for three years, are desperate for the deadlock to end.
“There is a few along the street who have got families who want to move on,” said Mark, 33.
“We were thinking of going anyway and once this came up we decided we wanted to go.”
Fear
The couple’s biggest fear will be realised if the council decides to demolish the surrounding streets and leave theirs untouched.
“It could be up to two years, I can understand the older people not wanting to move,” added Mark.
“But I’m a builder, building sites attract kids so I know there will be things thrown in the garden and windows smashed.
“And what will the value of the properties be like? It will be a row of old terraced houses in a brand new estate.”
Mum-of-three Pam said: “Our lives are on hold because we can’t even put it up for sale.
“This could be our last chance to get a 25-year mortgage and we’re stuck in limbo.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said she had no idea why people were opposing the plans.
“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a while.The houses are structurally unsound and there is endless amounts of litter and kids hanging round the street.
“It baffles me why anyone wants to live here.”
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