Residentswant voteon housingplans – MP

RESIDENTS want a vote on a controversial housing programme before it goes ahead.

According to a survey, more than two-thirds of residents on a Hull estate were against the loss of nearly 700 council houses as part of 156m regeneration plans.

Nearly 90 per cent also wanted to get a vote on the plans when they are finalised.

The findings came from a postal survey conducted by North Hull Labour MP Diana Johnson. Around 100 people responded from 1,400 addresses.

Hull Council’s plans would lead to the demolition of 1,627 council-built homes in Orchard Park, including 1,365 homes still in the council-rented sector, at a time when there are more than 13,000 applicants on its council housing waiting list.

Ms Johnson argues that with only 680 new council homes planned in the scheme, compared to 1,020 new homes for private sale, there would be a net loss of 685 council homes.

She said: “This survey shows that most Orchard Park people oppose losing so many council homes in their area and that they demand the final say on whether this scheme goes ahead.

“The number of new council homes planned in the current scheme does not even give all existing Orchard Park council tenants, whose homes are to be demolished, the option of staying in the area. With 13,000 applicants on Hull’s council housing waiting list it is also poor value to spend 156m from the Labour Government just to produce a net reduction of 685 current council homes.”

However the council, which was awarded the funding under the Government’s Private FInance Initiative, has said it has been constrained by Ms Johnson’s own Labour Government rules.

Hull Council leader Carl Minns said: “More than 90 per cent of people in the area did not respond to Ms Johnson’s survey which means these results will not be reliable. As part of the council’s consultation, we are committed to try and contact every resident in the area to get a rounded picture of the views of all residents in the area.”