Deal ends nine-year battle 
to save residents’ homes

A NINE-YEAR battle by residents fighting to save their homes from being bulldozed ended in defeat yesterday after the final remaining householders withdrew their objections.

The dispute between residents and council chiefs seeking to build a new estate was set to be fought at a public inquiry yesterday but the last three remaining householders on Featherstone’s Girnhill Lane Estate backed down at the last minute.

The matter was due to go before a planning inspector at Wakefield Town Hall to dispute Wakefield Council’s compulsory purchase order.

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A total of 174, 1950s-style concrete homes on the estate have already been bulldozed since demolition started in 2003.

Now council chiefs are set 
to press ahead with plans to demolish the last three houses ahead of a proposed a new development of more than 200 homes, set to be constructed on the site of the former Girnhill Lane 
Estate.

Naeem Siraj, solicitor acting for the three residents, said: “The council had a better understanding of my clients’ needs and those have now been met.”

Mr Siraj added: “It has been a hard-fought battle for nine 
years.”

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Andrew Wallhead, Wakefield Council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, said: “I am pleased that we have now been able to negotiate an agreement with the remaining owners.

“Today marks the start of a new era for Featherstone.”

Planning inspector Brendan 
Lyons was made aware of the agreements and, after seeking clarification on some of the 
information that had been sent 
to him, he made the announcement that he was to close the enquiry.

Mr Lyons will make any necessary recommendations by the end of November, when he will submit his report to the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles.

Mr Wallhead added: “Regeneration plans for the area began more than a decade ago, triggered by the poor condition of the houses and the low demand for them.

“The developer for the planned housing project, Strata Homes, hopes to begin work as soon as possible on high quality homes for rent, shared ownership and private sale.”