Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Dumped among the oldies’
We thought you liked new home, carpenter told
Carpenter Nobby Clark claims he is a victim of the city council’s urban renewal of the Kingsmead area of Canterbury.
The 54-year-old lived in the Coldharbour flats at the city end of Sturry Road, but complains he has since been “dumped in an old people’s complex in Whitstable, isolated and away from my friends”.
Mr Clark says he was startled one morning to hear a safety intercom inside his cramped bungalow in St James’ Gardens asking him if he was all right.
And he is accusing housing chiefs of reneging on promises to him over what he could do in his new home.
But the city council insists Nobby told them he was happy to move to Whitstable and to St James’ Gardens.
Residents of Coldharbour have been moved out two years after the council announced it wanted to redevelop the former coach park, the Serco site and the corner where Sturry Road meets Kingsmead.
Last year it released plans for a retail complex, cinema, houses and student accommodation.
Mr Clark, an unemployed carpenter and joiner, said: “I’ve been taken out of the community I was in, with people I’ve lived with for years, and dumped in an old people’s complex in Whitstable, isolated and away from my friends.
“I’m the youngest person here and I’m not even sure how I ended up here because you’re supposed to be at least 55. Everyone else is at least 70.
“I’m told at least three people have died in this bungalow.
“Then the other day someone started talking on my intercom into my bungalow.
“That was weird. It made me think that, if I could hear them, they could hear me.”
Council spokesman Rob Davies said housing staff had done all they could for Mr Clark and thought he was satisfied with his move.
“We are surprised to hear Mr
Clark’s comments because he insisted to us that he wanted to move to Whitstable and told us the property was perfect for his requirements,” Mr Davies said.
“He was aware of the age issue and we made a special dispensation in order that he could move there.
“We also know he has carried out work to the property since moving in so that it is how he wants it.
“All of the Coldharbour tenants have been fully supported in their moves to new accommodation, including compensation packages to reflect the change in their lives. Our housing officers have received thank you cards and flowers from some of the tenants who have completed their moves.
“So, although it has been difficult for some of them, we have worked very hard to make it as smooth as possible.”