Hull MP to meet Housing Minister about Orchard Park Estate

Hull North Labour MP Diana Johnson is to meet Housing Minister Grant Shapps to discuss the future of housing regeneration in Hull North's Orchard Park Estate.

The meeting, which takes place on Monday (16 May), follows the Coalition Government's axing last November of funding for a £160m housing scheme for Orchard Park.

Funding for Orchard Park was approved by the previous Labour Government in July 2009 and Hull City Council had spent £450,000 consulting residents in order to develop a scheme that would have built new rented homes and properties for sale in the Orchard Park area.

Although improvements to local shops, the Northern Academy School and social care places for the elderly and disabled are still going ahead in the Orchard Park area, the loss of funding to improve housing in one of Hull's most deprived neighbourhoods was a major setback for the area.

In 2010, Hull had over 10,000 households on its waiting list for council housing.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Last November's news that the Lib Dem-backed Tory Government was cancelling the £160m Orchard Park housing scheme was an awful blow for Orchard Park people. It was also another setback to our local construction industry and a waste of the £450,000 that Hull City Council had spent consulting residents.

"In common with Hull's new Labour Council, I want to ensure that both the quality and quantity of Orchard Park housing is improved, meeting the needs of local people for secure rented housing and opening up the choice of affordable home ownership for more of those who aspire to it.

"For the previous Labour Government investing in housing regeneration, especially in places such as Hull, was a key part in growing out of the recession and reducing the deficit.

"Although the current Government has cut social housing investment by around 60%, and is directing cuts especially heavily at places such as Hull, I want to impress upon the Housing Minister the long history of let-downs in Orchard Park and the need to give local people hope for the future.

"Above all, I want to do all that I can to ensure that Orchard Park does not become an overlooked and neglected neighbourhood in the coming years."

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