Legal News
Oswestry Tenants Receive Compensation over Estate Demolition Plan (16 September 2011)
Date: 16/09/2011
Tenants residing on a drug-hit Oswestry Housing estate will receive almost £5,000 in compensation after demolition plans have been given the green light by Shropshire Council’s councillors. Yet tenants are worried that they will not receive enough money to set themselves up in a new residence. Residents also voiced concerns about the location to which they will be moved.
Tenant Lydia Hayes claims that the compensation awarded is “better than nothing.” Ms Hayes states that although she is looking forward to moving from the troubled estate, she will miss friends in the surrounding areas. Tenant Mark Davidson, who has been living on the estate for 18 years, is not concerned about the amount of money received but said that it will not last long, while resident Anthony Hughes added that the tenants of the estate “do not want to be shifted from one tip to another tip.”
According to council plans, the area is set to be regenerated, with old homes knocked down. The council claim that there is a lack of demand for some of the properties. A council report states that despite “substantial resources,” drug problems failed to be resolved and some accommodation had remained unoccupied for six months. The report claims that the council will move tenants over the course of two years, as and when suitable alternative homes are found for them. The report adds that all tenants will be entitled to home loss compensation of £4,700 if they are moved due to the requirement for demolition.
The team of Housing solicitors at Duncan Lewis are adept at providing clients with guidance on a range of Housing issues.