Orchard Park residents reject loss of council housing

Orchard Park residents overwhelmingly oppose Hull City Council plans that would mean the net loss of 685 council homes in their area.

This is one of the key findings of a survey organised by Hull North MP Diana Johnson asking Orchard Park residents what they want from the £156 million of Labour Government housing investment that was announced last July.

Findings of the survey, held between 31 October and 1 January across the part of Orchard Park affected by the scheme, include:

70% of residents are against the loss of council homes proposed in the Lib Dem Council's scheme

89% demand a vote of Orchard Park residents to determine whether or not the scheme finally goes ahead

94% believe that Orchard Park residents should have top priority for new council homes built in the scheme

Two out of three Orchard Park residents want local tower blocks demolished

Of possible options for new homes built, 97% support for building conventional low-rise homes and bungalows, rather than maisonettes or high-rise blocks

Only 16% supported Hull City Council plans for new homes built in the scheme to be 60 per cent for sale and 40 per cent for rent

73% believe that funding for the scheme would be threatened if there was a Conservative government

The survey was organised in response to concerns expressed to the Hull North MP by Orchard Park residents about initial plans from 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, the Council's plans would mean a net loss of 685 current council homes in Orchard Park - at a time when Hull City Council has 13,000 applicants on its council housing waiting list.

Diana will present the survey results to Hull City Council officials in a meeting on 22 January and will be discussing Orchard Park with the Housing Minister, Rt Hon John Healey MP, when she meets him at the House of Commons on 20 January.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I would like to thank all those Orchard Park residents who took part in this survey, giving me a good idea of the balance of local opinion on the housing scheme. I also welcome all their comments about the need to improve both the quality and quantity of affordable housing, and for better shops and other local facilities in Orchard Park.

"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 £156 million from the Labour Government just to produce a net reduction of 685 current council homes.

"When I take these survey results to Hull City Council, I will be asking them to look again 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.

"At the same time, I would urge Hull City Council to bid separately for Orchard Park from any new Government money that is available for council house-building. I am disappointed that in the two rounds of bidding under the Government's new council house-building programme that have happened so far, Hull City Council has failed to make any bid for new council homes in Hull North."

Ends