Homes plan ‘return to bad old days’

OPPOSITION councillors have called in an “extraordinary” Labour decision to save two high rise blocks on a Hull estate from the bulldozers, against officers’ advice.

The Labour leadership wants to spend £15m renovating 100 one-bedroomed flats at Gorthorpe and Kinthorpe on Orchard Park estate, as well as building a mix of new flats and council houses, and knocking down only Laxthorpe and Highcourt. Officers have warned the District Auditor could look at the decision and judge it was not value for money, and it will also mean council housing reserves runs out a year earlier than expected in 2017. Labour members believe there will be a scramble for cheaper accommodation due to Government welfare reforms and the flats will be needed in future.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Ross added it would “almost certainly” be challenged by the District Auditor, and added: “This is just another step back for the council. It signals a return to the bad old days when Labour was last in charge and Hull was the worst run council in the country.”

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