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THE house on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, which has been bought so the council can knock it down and build new homes.
Council spends £450,000 on house - so it can be demolished
Nicole Kenny5/10/2007
LOCAL residents in Openshaw have been left angered by the revelation that a house on Ashton Old Road has been bought by Manchester City Council for a staggering £450,000 so it can be bulldozed.
The house which was bought by the council last year will be knocked down to be replaced by new homes.
Karen Abbad, who lives nearby on Toxeth Street, said: "We're fighting over pennies here and one house gets bought for that, it's ridiculous.
"Nearly half a million pounds spent on something that is being knocked down to build flats that are already there, and where are they getting the money to do this from? It's just not fair."
The house is part of the Pathfinder scheme which plans to demolish the houses in the area to make way for new developments.
Councillor for the Openshaw area, John Longsden, said: "It's unfortunate but it is inevitable.
"We're not over the moon about it, but it is unfortunately part of the process.
"It is going to be a really nice and desirable place to live, this is just one of the things that happen."
Cllr Longsden claims that the council spent so much money because the building was in fact converted into flats and therefore does not class as one home.
Deborah McLaughlin, Manchester City Council director of housing, said: "This bed-sit property is in a renewal area of east Manchester.
"Consultation with residents established that they had major concerns about the concentration of low quality bedsit-style flats in the area which were associated with poor management and neighbour nuisance issues.
"The value agreed for any property is in accordance with compensation rules and market value on the date of agreement.
"We have worked closely with the community to develop a new neighbourhood plan which will bring comprehensive improvements to regenerate this area.
"This will deliver 430 high quality homes, with enhanced energy efficiency features, improved security and gardens for new and existing residents and lead to the development of a more sustainable neighbourhood."
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8/10/2007 at 18:52
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