Affordable homes? they're already on our doorstep

Published on 8th February 2007 in Letters

Sir - I am sure Goole people will be reassured now that East Riding Council has set up a working party to look at the issue of affordable homes following a council report which revealed the need for 7,275 new affordable homes to be provided in the East Riding by 2011.

This followed Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for housing, travelling down to London to lobby Yvette Cooper, the housing minister, on the same issue.

Can someone from ERYC please explain that, having identified the problems young people are having getting on the first rung of the housing ladder, why there is a point-blank refusal to consider renovation as an alternative to the demolition of Phoenix and Richard Cooper Streets. This would provide 117 affordable houses in the Shuffleton area of Goole?

Goole Action Group has exploded the myth long ago that funding is dependant on demolition, and as the funding train for improving the other 50plus fragile streets has now hit the buffers, ERYC can do themselves, young house buyers and Goole people in general, a massive favour by belatedly considering the more cost-effective renovation option.

The head of Housing Protection has been quoted as saying that Goole Action Group is a 'noisy little group'. Unfortunately, if you have a deaf council, you need to shout loudly to make them hear - even if they fail to listen!

Just as important, Goole people do listen and this has been borne out by their overwhelming enthusiasm for our renovation plans at our recent exhibition in the Town Centre.

Kevin Flynn

Chairman of Goole Action Group

and member of Goole Town Council

Westminster Ct,

Goole