Crook housing plans spark outrage
THE Government will provide £3.5m to build 67 homes in Crook although the potential loss of a playing field has sparked anger among residents.
In December, the Mercury reported on plans by council-house managers Dale and Valley Homes to replace two outdated flat blocks with new housing estates.
Park Avenue Close, which has 25 flats for elderly residents, would be replaced with a complex of 46 two bedroom apartments and four bungalows while 34 houses will be built in two phases on and around Greenside Place on the Watergate Estate.
This week Housing Minster John Healy announced he would provide £3.5m for the project.
Local residents argued against the plans as they oppose to the loss of a playing field next door to Greenside Place.
Lewis Barnes’s house overlooks the green and he is leading the opposition.
He said: “Where are the children going to play?
“What sort of families will they put in?
“What compensation will homeowners get for devaluation of their property and for disruption caused by the building works.
“It’s always nice to see kids playing on the green.
“You know where they are and they are safe.
“The only people who complain about having balls kicked against their windows live in Greenside Place, none of the residents around the green complain.
“It’s unfair to the people on the estate to lose a green for new houses.
“Who will be put in the homes?
“Will they be trouble families from elsewhere? We’ve got enough problems on the estate without more people adding to it.
“I will fight these plans and I think no matter how much we oppose it they will kick us in the teeth and go ahead with it. That won’t stop us battling though.”
Pat Wanless, director of housing operations at Dale and Valley Homes, previously told the Mercury the current 1960s built sheltered housing blocks were outdated.
She said they were impossible to adapt for customers who may require wheelchair access and many of the flats are small and do not provide modern facilities for residents.
To make a significant improvement to the lives of customers Durham County Council and Dale and Valley Homes have developed plans for a replacement sheltered housing scheme which will be spacious and well equipped.
The new apartments will be energy efficient, meaning the heating bills for customers will be significantly reduced.
Clive Robson, Cabinet Member for Housing at Durham County Council, said: “I am delighted that the Government has allocated the Council an additional £3.5m to enable us to build 67 new homes in Crook, County Durham.
“This funding will enable us to provide much needed new family homes as well as flats and bungalows.
“They will replace the outdated sheltered accommodation for older people as part of an overall funding package of £8.5m.
“Durham County Council is working closely with Dale and Valley Homes to develop these new housing schemes.
“I am particularly pleased as this announcement follows a previous funding allocation, announced on December 30, which will see more than £6.6m spent on developing new affordable homes in County Durham.”
Peter Chaffer, chief executive of Dale and Valley Homes, said: “Customers have made it very clear that the existing properties at Greenside Close and Park Avenue Close are not meeting their needs.
“We are delighted that we will be able to replace outdated properties with modern, purpose-designed buildings which people will be happy to call home.
“Ours is the largest council house building scheme announced for the north east which is really exciting.
“There will, of course, be a full consultation process before design and layout are finalised.”