Hull North MP welcomes new Orchard Park Housing Scheme

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has welcomed Hull City Council's £15.3m plan to improve housing in Orchard Park and demolish two further tower blocks.

The Labour MP also slammed Hull Lib Dem councillors after they tried to block the improvements.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I'm pleased that Hull's Labour Council has put together a £15.3m plan to improve Orchard Park social housing, and equally pleased that the Lib Dem attempt to block this progress has failed.

"Hull Lib Dems back a Government that axed a much bigger £160m Orchard Park housing regeneration scheme, funded by the previous Labour Government, in 2010. Now Lib Dems even want this more modest scheme stopped.

"When they controlled Hull City Council Lib Dems wanted to demolish as much rented social housing as they could in Orchard Park and replace it with an over-supply of private sector housing that wouldn't have met local housing need.

"When they're consulted most Orchard Park residents say that they want these tower blocks demolished - but such schemes must be carefully planned. Hull cannot afford to lose too much social housing at once after the Coalition Government cut the budget to build and renovate social housing by 60%.

"I'm now keen for Hull City Council to manage the process of moving residents out of homes that are to be demolished with great care and sensitivity. The process of change, no matter how positive, can be difficult for some."