MP & County Councillors Should Back the People
Dear Sir,
Livin have developed a 2 year Strategic Plan referred to as ‘Plan A’. In the introduction it is clearly stated ‘THERE IS NO PLAN B’. From my reading of this plan, and the attitude of Livin, it appears they are not going to listen to any alternatives to their view, yet, clearly stated: ‘We go above and beyond the traditional duties of a landlord, working closely with our communities’ This appears to belie their attempts in their proposals for the western area and the resultant lack of discussion, consultation or presentation of these proposals.
In their own report, Livin have stated they have acquired 300 homes within the last 9 years – yet they intend to demolish over 500 in the western area. Livin do not have 500 empty properties in Aycliffe – where are they to house the dis-posessed? My belief is that they intend to break up and destroy the established community – but why?
The proposals indicate that Livin will have a net reduction of 100 ‘affordable’ homes – where are the lost homes? They state they are to build some executive properties. This is the answer I believe – a profit making enterprise, for the business not the community. And how are they to achieve this – Compulsory Purchase Order(s). However Livin cannot enact these, they must be raised by a public body and approved by Parliament and be for the ‘public benefit’.
The public body would be Durham County Council. I do not want my elected officials making a deal with a private company to force people from their homes and be replaced with ‘executive homes’ for the purpose of profit.
I would therefore suggest that our MP, Phil Wilson, informs the Secretary of State that this CPO is NOT for the public benefit. I would also suggest that our DCC representatives examine their potential role in this unpleasant business and support the people who elected them and not a business that seems set on destroying the community.
John Hillary, Aycliffe Village
Livin Could Have Blood on Their Hands
Dear Sir,
I am currently a Livin tenant residing in Honister Place and have been tenants for almost 3 years, having moved here from Darlington.
I am writing in regards to Livin’s proposed regeneration plan for the Western Area. As a tenant and not a home owner I find myself in a small minority of tenants who are opposed to the regeneration plans.
I absolutely love my home and the location. We have never had any issues with anti social behaviour, and I would like to say to other householders that have reported the area as being scruffy and untidy, that they should try living on some of the council estates in Darlington, as I have.
We are so lucky to have as many green spaces as we do, and I feel the council here do an excellent job overall of keeping the area clean and tidy. However, my main point of concern is my neighbours. On our particular row of houses, only two properties are owned by Livin. The rest are privately owned.
Both sets of neighbours on either side of us are elderly, one couple are both 87. They have owned their house for over 50 years, having bought it from the council back in the late 60’s. They raised their children here, and have spent thousands over the years improving their home.
The gentleman has suffered from poor health recently, and having discussed the regeneration plans with them, the wife of this gentleman, also 87, said she strongly believes that if a CPO were to be imposed upon them, her husband would not survive such an upheaval.
As the majority of the home owners on our row are also elderly, as are many others who have written in to you, I really do think that if these plans go ahead, Livin are going to have blood on their hands, and I personally cannot find any justification in any of these plans.
I would like my letter to be printed, in the hope that Livin and those concerned may take into account that lives are at stake here!
Miss C Bamford
Livin Do Not Reply to Complaints
Dear Sir,
I have had almost three years of trying to get Livin to do what they should be doing as responsible landlords and keep the place in good order. Since they sacked the Council from grass and garden duties in the areas they are responsible and it is now like a tip, and an absolute eyesore.
When the Council were grass cutting, they also sent litter pickers to make sure the cutters could do their job unhindered. Now the grass is very rarely cut, and litter abounds; the shrub areas are a shambles and are no more than a dumping ground for old mattresses and any other unwanted detritus.
I have written to DCC Leader Simon Henig directly on many occasions, but the council simply say take it up with Livin, and when I do, they do not reply. When I write to the CEO of any company I expect a reply, even if it’s from a subordinate, but Colin Steel simply ignores my letters.
I would like to suggest that if a company can’t afford to cut the grass, how are they able to raise the cash for this planned demolition/building plan? If they do have funds in place, spend it where it’s needed now!
I remain highly suspicious of Livin’s motives and just because they are ‘Not for Profit’, does not mean that somebody, somewhere is not making money out of it. Who it might be, remains to be seen, but I am sure that the last thing Livin have any interest in, is the welfare of it’s residents.
Neil McKee
Regeneration Could be a Positive Move
Dear Sir,
After seeing several negative letters in the Newton News, I would like to ask why this cant be a positive thing for the Western Area?
People have the power, but its currently being used to throw the baby out with the bath water. But why can’t we all come together as residents and make it work for us?
Yes there is going to be upheaval, but were in a world where we must either move forward or be left behind. People talk about crime and lack of opportunity in the area, but studies all over the world have proved that better homes have a positive impact on peoples access to education, healthcare and improved crime rates. The country doesn’t need more Social Housing, but rather Affordable Housing, so that people of all backgrounds can get onto the property ladder and start creating a better life for themselves and their family.
The various news articles I have seen have shown the older generation in the area as the main ones unhappy about change, meaning the younger people in the area who may still be here in 20-30+ years will miss out on this massive opportunity. Why should the younger generation miss out because of it? How is that fair?
A quick bit of research shows that in the local area, the value + all the extras, will leave you with anywhere from £55,000 – £70,000, as of writing this there are 12 homes in Newton Aycliffe in that range, so like for like with the current homes is possible.
Overall I think everyone needs to calm down a bit, Livin would need a majority vote to even get the plans to the Secretary of State. Lets all come together and see if we can make this work for all of us, and if not then we say no.
A.P.C.R.
Name and address supplied
Livin’s Plans Must be Exposed
Dear Sir,
As Secretary of the Great Aycliffe Residents Association, I blew the whistle on Livin’s Regeneration Scheme.
Having received a copy of Livin’s original bid to the government for funds, under Freedom of Information Act, it is obvious that from the outset Livin only ever preferred Option 3.
They planned for wholesale demolition and regeneration right from the outset, and in my honest opinion, I do not think it too strong to say they misled residents, me and their own Livin Champions.
It is clear they have been working hand in hand with Durham County Council since 2014, a whole year before they chose to consult residents.
Livin told the residents there were three options, but in my opinion they only discussed Option 3 with the Government and County Council and have privately discussed with the County Council to get the scheme incorporated into the County Plan, which would smooth the way for outline planning permission and Compulsory Purchase Powers and to present residents with a fait accompli.
According to their grant bid they plan to reduce the number of Social housing to rent not by 100 as I previously mentioned, but by 128! How could anyone agree to this? It beggars belief and confirms that this is intended to be a money generating scheme to knock down 514 houses of which 286 are Livin rented and replace them with 632 houses of which only 158 will be Livin rented housing – a loss in rental income of £576,000 yearly!
This is not openness and transparency as required by the Government, and it shows that no resident should trust anything Livin say. They have refused to say anything publicly or attend public meetings.
What I and the residents of the estate want to know is – what did our Labour Aycliffe County Councillors know ? when did they know and have the Labour controlled Durham County Council agreed to reduce the number of houses for rent by Livin, by 128?
Will they allow Livin to build executive houses for sale, and other houses for sale. Something is not right and we must get to the bottom of it and expose the full plan.
Does our MP go along with County Councillors in reducing Livin’s Social housing for rent by 128 houses?
Arun Chandran
