We have been notified by our landlords, Catalyst Housing Association, that the Friary Park Estate will be regenerated. Apparently demolishing and starting all over again is a better option than refurbishing as 'the homes are draughty and expensive to heat...) These homes are less than thirty years old, surely it would be cheaper to refurbish? I live in one of the town houses that face on to Emanuel Ave rather than one of the flats. I have been a tenant since they were built, I moved here in 1989. I have asked if the houses are going, too, and apparently they are. There is nothing wrong with the buildings, they only need some cosmetic work. Also, as people have moved out of the houses they have been completely ripped out and refurbished for the new tenants, surely needless expense if they are being demolished. I suspect that the real reason for demolishing is a more intensive build on the land. The houses have garages and small gardens, the lower flats have small gardens, too and the houses face onto courtyards. I am sure these will all be built on. I have just Googled Friary Park regeneration and find a tender has been put out for the work and find that 100 extra properties are being planned as well as the existing 250 and that there will be a mix of properties for sale and rent. The present properties are rented as social housing. So it seems I may be right. I didn't believe that Catalyst would undertake such major work out of consideration to their tenants, living in their 'draughty homes'. Obviously there is much more money to be made from the land. Apparently the estate was built for private sale but was purchased instead by Catalyst, hence the gardens and garages, I am sure we would not have those otherwise! We have not yet been told what will happen to us, only that we will not be made homeless. How thoughtful of Catalyst! Where will they move 250 households to? And now an extra hundred homes may be needing schools in an area where schools are having problems accommodating the ever growing number of pupils. There will be a display of plans on Saturday 6th September in Friary Park Community Centre from 10-3. |