Homeless hostel could wipe £20,000 off value of homes, say Carlisle residents
Last updated at 14:35, Friday, 05 March 2010
Residents of Bright Street and Wood Street in Carlisle fear £20,000 could be wiped off the value of their houses if homeless families are placed there.
The Cumberland News revealed last week that Carlisle City Council wants to build up to nine self-contained apartments on a former bowling green between the two streets off Newtown Road. The accommodation will replace Staffield House, the homeless women’s and families’ hostel in London Road.
Details of the £1.8m scheme have been cloaked in secrecy.
The Cumberland News had to use the Freedom of Information Act to identify the site. Now Lisa Dobson, who lives in Bright Street, has written to councillors on behalf of her neighbours complaining about the “unsympathetic way” the scheme has been handled.
Her letter says: “We only found out through reading the local press.
“We thought the council would have the courtesy to inform the local residents of their plans and we could have discussed them.
“The owners of [homes] in these streets will see a substantial loss in equity of their properties and in some cases may find it impossible to sell. A local estate agent informed us that each property could potentially see a loss of between £10,000 and £20,000 if this goes ahead.
“In addition, we are concerned about possible anti-social behaviour and disturbance in what is a quiet residential area.”
Mrs Dobson has an ally in Castle ward Liberal Democrat councillor Jim Tootle.
He too only found out about the proposal from The Cumberland News. He said: “The last kind of place you want to put accommodation like this in is a residential area.
“One of the reasons given [for choosing the site] is that it is close to schools. Well, Caldew Lea School is full – I know because I’m a governor.”
Mr Tootle thinks the site was selected to suit council officers who will be based at a new ‘homelessness centre of excellence’ in nearby Shaddongate. He added: “They are steamrollering this through. They’re not interested in what local people think.”
Mr Tootle is at loggerheads with his fellow Castle Liberal Democrat Olwyn Luckley who, as the council’s portfolio holder for health and community development, is directly responsible for the scheme.
She believes that residents’ fears are misplaced.
Mrs Luckley said: “A recent survey of people who live near the London Road accommodation brought forward really positive remarks.
“They said what a quiet and peaceful hostel it was.
“I don’t want people [in Bright Street and Wood Street] to be unnecessarily upset when their fears may prove groundless as I’m sure they will be.”
If the council’s executive approves the plans a week on Monday, the scheme could open in 2012.
The authority plans to consult neighbours on details such as parking and street lighting. But they will not be asked if the former bowling green is the right place.
Residents of Staffield House have not been consulted about the site either.
Earlier plans to build next to the men’s hostel in John Street were dropped following objections from Cumbria Police, Carlisle MP Eric Martlew and Mr Tootle.
First published at 14:16, Friday, 05 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk
I feel I must make some comments in support of the residents of Bright street and Wood street.
The intended (seemingly secret plan )plan to develop the old bowling green site in such a way is disgraceful.
This land should never have been selected for housing in the first place. Infact since Bright and Wood street were built in the 1840's this plot inbetween never has had housing upon it. A bowling green was opened there in 1902 and later a Tennis court. If the land is to be re - developed then it should again be for recreational purposes, perhaps a community garden or allotments ( both to be protected by a security enclosure of course ).
Considering the comments about how well recieved the hostel has been in another residential area of Carlisle i.e. London Road, surely the reality is, that the Bright street area bears no comparison. The hostel presently at London road does not lie in near proximity to housing directly opposite as the way it would if it were to built at Bright street, the structure would totally impinge on the terraced houses of what is at the moment a quiet side street off Newtown road.
Steven.
View all 6 comments on this article
Chocolate beer 
Papal medal 
Fringe author
Whisperer
Graduates 2010 
Bikini walk 
Have your say
I really am ashamed to call Carlisle home. Is there no degree of compassion anywhere within the city? Have a look at the article on this site dated 6th April, that tells the story of men sleeping in cars, in freezing temperatures. Can't you just drop the "not in my street" attitude and think of others for a change? Would you rather watch your nice, warm house drop $20k in value, or be sleeping in a J reg Jaguar, next to a bloke with a syringe hanging out of his arm? People fail to realise that Mrs Luckley is trying to help those less fortunate, and all she gets is "Not in my backyard". Shame on you Carlisle, shame.
Posted by Ashamed on 14 April 2010 at 11:25