Council plea over homes controversy

NEWCASTLE council bosses say they are “disappointed” at plans to sell run-down Georgian homes that they demanded repairs to – and have called on their owners to show devastated tenants “empathy and care”.

Housing association Riverside informed residents of 3 and 4 Summerhill Grove earlier this month that they will have to move out of their homes, which have been plagued by damp and mould problems.

The city council served prohibition orders on three flats within the two buildings, in the Summerhill conservation area, and a further two improvement notices last summer – requiring the social landlord to carry out repairs.

While Riverside says that it has spent £430,000 on the homes since 2021, renters have now been told that the buildings will be sold because they require more than £1m worth of further works.

Residents said the decision had left them “horrified”.

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Riverside have decided to sell this property.

“Our inspection of the property last year highlighted a number of serious issues with dampness in several of the flats which resulted in prohibition and improvement notices being served. We hope that as a responsible social landlord Riverside will act with empathy and care to support tenants through this difficult situation.”

A spokesperson for the housing association said: “We understand how disruptive this move will be and are committed to supporting our customers every step of the way through their relocation.”