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Smithdown Against Demolition formed in Liverpool

Smithdown Against Demolition | 20.06.2006 17:33 | Migration | Workers' Movements | Liverpool

On July 11, 2006 the issue of the unnecessary Compulsory Purchase Orders for our homes and businesses went to Public Inquiry. For those of you who have been to public meetings and been told by the council and their partners that these houses are definitely coming down - this is a lie. This is their preferred option, which will be decided by Public Inquiry, and then by Ruth Kelly MP, for the Government.

The Council is only offering you a fraction of what your home is worth, in fact that is why sales to the council have dried up recently. For instance did you know that one house on Tunstall Street sold for £106,000? Imagine what they would sell for in a refurbished state with a nicer environment! Don't forget some figures are low because the Council has distorted the market. If you want to see what houses have sold for in this area then there are many websites on which you can register for free, to get this information. One is  http://www.ourproperty.co.uk.

We are a new group to fight for better homes and community facilities in our area. We are NOT against new homes being built, for those that want them, but they don't need to be built on the rubble of the homes of the people that don't want, or can't afford them. We ARE against the theft and demolition of decent homes, and profiteering by the private sector.

Membership is £2 per person, per year, and is open to all residents and businesses in the area. There are many ways we can all help ourselves and our neighbours. You can join this association, become a committee member, deliver leaflets, attend our meetings, display posters, provide fighting funds for the Public Inquiry, provide your skills as a builder, artist, architect, etc, to come up with community led alternatives. What ever you can do to help, then Please let us know as soon as possible.

Please Contact us at :-
Maxine Liu
Secretary - Smithdown Against Demolition
36 Tunstall Street, L7 4LB
 maxiliu@hotmail.com
07999 692 277

Many people are glad that at last money is going to be spent in the area. But where is that money going? The following companies have been paid to do work for the council, or are their 'partners' in the theft of our homes.

- Pennington Consulting Ltd (based in Runcorn)
- CURS (based in Birmingham University)
- 2020 Vision (joint venture between the council and Mouchel Parkman, who are based in West Byfleet, Surrey)
- Land Aspects (based in Ellesmere Port, but also a sub-division of Mouchel Parkman)
- Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP (the Councils' Public
Inquiry legal team, based in London)
-Persona Associates (a neutral body running the Public Inquiry for the Government, based in Horsham, West Sussex)
- Bellway Homes (based in Newcastle Upon Tyne)
- Keepmoat PLC (based in Doncaster)

As you can see, none of the profits will end up in the wider Liverpool community, never mind in ours. Millions of pounds must already have been spent, yet very little has been distributed locally.

You may be aware that the council has chosen the most expensive option - mass demolition and new build by the the private sector in the form of BELLWAY HOMES and KEEPMOAT. This is the council's preferred option. The Public Inquiry will decide whether the Council can put the plan into action.

We believe the money would be better spent refurbishing a greater number of homes, and providing some Community Resources to replace the ones lost locally, such as the schools, Lodge Lane Swimming Pool, and the community hall and recreation centre.

If the homes were refurbished and occupied, and the Council and the Police take the issue of Anti Social Behaviour seriously, then this would be a nice place to live.

For those of you on Tunstall, Garrick, Bird and Richardson Streets and the adjacent shop terraces, you are scheduled for phase 2. We ask you
to join us to fight this now. If we lose and we are evicted, Who will you ask to help you? Please join the fight now to save all our homes.

Residents of Bannerman Street and Spofforth Road, and the adjacent Webster Road streets, did you know the developers have already submitted plans for your area? They have outlined your houses for clearance and redevelopment. They have been marked for a 3rd party developer to make profits on the back of your losses. They are not being redeveloped by Bellway, which is why there is no detail on their 'Masterplan'.

Have You Been Here Before? Will this be your 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time you have been decanted and moved on by the Council? If so get in touch and tell us your story. Do you want to tell us, or the inquiry, anything? How bad has your Housing Association been? How bad is your Council home? Are the services you receive from the Council poor? What ideas do you think would improve the area and your life? Did you object to the Council's plans? Did you receive a reply? We know a number of people who objected - but aren't on the list of objectors! Is this just 'Clerical error', or something more underhand? Let us know if you didn't get a response.

Did you know? "That 58% of homes on the 3 Streets in the worst condition, Scholar, Mulliner and Underley are owned by the council or a Housing Association, and that these figures are more than a year old so will be even higher now!"

Smithdown Against Demolition
- e-mail: maxiliu@hotmail.com