Less of ‘out with the old’ in plans for new housing
Peter Shilton, former goalkeeper/football manager (pictured right), 71; John Aldridge, former football manager and TV pundit, 62; John Fashanu, TV presenter and former footballer, 58; Darren Gough, former cricketer (pictured left), 50; Jada Pinkett Smith, actress/singer, 49;
Marsden, actor, 47; Sol Campbell, footballer, 46; Dizzee Rascal, singer/rapper, 36.
SO the campaign to stop the building of 250 new homes on green belt land off Netherton Moor has been lost.
The dedicated group of local people who fought long and hard over this, backed by almost 800 objections, should nevertheless be proud of their efforts.
With a 3 to 2 vote in favour, we will never know if another outcome had been possible due to the abstention of Andrew Pinnock. After all this time, with considered arguments for and against, he had one decision to make, yes or no. Shame on the man. He should be banned from any future planning committee.
However, in a more wide ranging argument, I have long argued for those in power to think outside the box for once and fail to see why the sole answer to such problems is always new, new, new.
You can go to any part of the country, certainly including our locality, and visit areas of high density housing, typically traditional post war terraced and four to a block 2 and 3 bedroom homes. There you will find countless examples of houses lying empty and in neglect that have clearly been so for several years. Quite possibly these houses were occupied by people who have passed away with no living relatives.
Surely legislation could be passed that allows for such homes, proven empty for a period of say 5 years to be taken into legal local authority ownership with no purchase involved.
Said councils could permanently employ teams of experienced builders and tradesmen, backed up by young apprentices, to restore these houses.
The budget would be minimal with costs limited to initial salaries and materials that would be quickly covered on an ongoing basis by subsequent sales. Plus, any profit could be used to bolster the local infrastructure.
Again, legislation could be put in place that such housing stock be for the sole benefit of first time buyers with a discount of 20% off the full market value.
The advantage to the purchaser is obvious but of great help when many struggle to save for the larger deposits normally required when many are already paying out for rental accommodation. A further benefit of the discount would be that mortgage lenders could provide bespoke products for such properties, with smaller deposits required, safe in the knowledge that they have the additional margin in the event if default.
The advantage to the local areas is the full occupancy of housing on any given street.
A final stipulation could be that subsequent sales of such housing were protected in perpetuity for first time buyers.
Would such an idea solve the housing shortage? Absolutely not. Would it contribute in some small way to the required levels? Without a doubt.