Hull MP questions loss of 685 Orchard Park council homes

Diana Johnson MP is asking Orchard Park residents what they want from the £156 million of Labour Government housing investment that was announced in July.

The move follows concerns expressed to the Hull North MP by Orchard Park residents about initial plans announced by Hull's Lib Dem Council to demolish 1,627 council-built homes in Orchard Park, including 1,365 homes still in the council rented sector.

With only 680 new council homes planned in the scheme, compared to 1,020 new homes for private sale, Lib Dem plans would mean a net loss of 685 current council homes in Orchard Park.

Hull City Council currently has over 13,000 applicants on its council housing waiting list.

From this weekend residents in the areas of Orchard Park likely to be included in the housing regeneration scheme will receive copies of a survey from Diana Johnson MP asking for their views on key aspects of the scheme.

This includes questions on the number and type of homes being built and demolished, the priority for allocating new council homes, the future of seven high-rise blocks and whether Orchard Park people should get a chance of a final vote on whether the scheme goes ahead.

Orchard Park residents are asked to return their completed survey forms to Diana Johnson MP by 1 January 2010. Diana Johnson MP has invited Housing Minister Ian Austin MP to visit Orchard Park in November.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Although I am delighted that the Labour Government recently committed a massive £156 million for housing regeneration in Orchard Park, on top of all the other Government investment in the area, we must make the best use of this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve the quality and quantity of local housing.

"This is why there are serious questions about the initial plans that Hull's Lib Dem Council has drawn up for Orchard Park.

"With over 13,000 applicants on Hull's council housing waiting list is it good value for £156 million plus to be spent just to produce a net reduction of 685 current council homes? This figure was not clear in the Lib Dem Council statement in July.

"Although building homes for sale is part of expanding choice for local people, providing that they are affordable, there is a far greater shortage of rented council homes in Hull than of homes for sale. It is perverse that the homes planned for sale outweighs the number of new council homes planned for Orchard Park, especially as council tenants have the Right to Buy their homes.

"In my view, we need to look closely at the balance between the number of homes to be demolished and new homes built, and between homes built for private sale and new council homes for rent.

"If this balance cannot be improved within the rules of this Private Finance scheme, Hull City Council can easily make a separate Orchard Park bid for new Government money that is available for council house building.

"I have been receiving messages of concern from Orchard Park people worried about the Council's plans for their homes and the lack of local consultation since the scheme was approved for funding in July.

"My survey is not a formal part of the consultation that Hull City Council has promised to undertake. However, it is important that I have the views of Orchard Park people before 1 January 2010. I will take them directly to the Housing Minister.

"The plans for Orchard Park must meet the needs and aspirations of local people. This is why I also believe that Orchard Park people should be given the chance to approve or reject the final plans produced by the Council in a binding vote.

"This regeneration scheme must be done with Orchard Park people - not done to them."

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