Renovation surely the real answer

Published on 22nd February 2007 in Letters

Sir - I am a director of the company that Sally Burns, of the ERYC, recently referred to as a 'speculative developer', in a letter to your newspaper (Readers' Page, February 8). She then went on to query our motives for purchasing six houses in Phoenix Street and Richard Cooper Street in a recent radio interview - the inference possibly being that we purchased these houses solely as a quick way to make money, with no real interest in what happens to the houses on these two streets.

I ask for this opportunity to state that this assumption could not be further from reality.

It is not and it never was our wish to purchase these properties with a view to making an easy and secured profit. Simply ask any builders and I am sure they will confirm that in the current housebuilding climate far simpler and surer investment opportunities exist, on the sums of money involved.

Westdale Services Ltd. is a successful company that has undertaken major refurbishment projects on many hundreds of houses on behalf of many different authorities. We were asked by Goole Action Group (GAG)to give support to their campaign and help them with developing a commercial scheme for renovating the properties at Phoenix Street and Richard Cooper Street.

After viewing the properties and following discussions with other experts it became apparent that the houses were structurally sound and wholly appropriate for renovation.

Joint consultation with GAG and other residents has produced the scheme, which the action group has endorsed and which has enjoyed overwhelming support by the people of Goole, at exhibitions and other sources.

When GAG asked us to also assist them by buying some properties we were pleased to confirm our commitment.

We and GAG have endeavoured many times to speak with ERYC on the proposals, which are far removed from any renovation scheme previously considered by ERYC, but all requests by ourselves or GAG have so far been ignored or refused.

We are hopeful that, at some stage and time, ERYC will review their position, as most people can see that it simply does not make sense to pull down 117 much-needed houses, which can be quickly transformed into 117 modern, well-insulated homes, at a lower cost than demolition and rebuilding approximately 40 replacements (Sally Burns' figure).

We do not seek profit from any of the houses we have purchased in our support of Goole Action Group and we are willing to undertake all of the works on these and the other houses at identical rates to the many other contracts we are working on for other authorities.

The renovation scheme has been described as practical, exciting and a positive plus for Goole and we are therefore pleased and proud to continue our support of GAG.

We look forward to the renovation scheme quickly coming to fruition, in accordance with the wishes of Goole people, who we continue to thank for their support.

Malcolm Kitching

(Director – Westdale Services Ltd.)