Controversial scheme still heated issue
Published on 18th January 2007 in News
East Riding and Goole Town councillor Beryl Beck-Taylor has replied to the letter from Mr Alan Wilson published on last week's Goole Times Readers' Page and headed 'Renovation not demolition'. She disputes several of the claims made by Mr Wilson in his letter.
In a letter to this newspaper Cllr Beck-Taylor says:
"I wish to correct several derogatory and incorrect statements made by Mr Wilson. If he had read my motion to ERYC he would see I have asked the question that he himself, the Goole Action Group and Goole Town Council, wanted answered: 'When is East Riding going to move forward with Compulsory Purchase Orders?' so that the next stage of development can commence.
"I am a East Riding and Goole Town Ccuncillor and have NEVER been in favour of the demolition of these two streets. Since December 7, 2004, when the Conservative/Labour-run council agreed the purchase and demolition of Phoenix Street and Richard Cooper Street, I have done all that I can to help residents.
"Renovation was never an option. The £10 million was secured by ERYC for the demolition of these two roads plus the renovation of many other streets in the town. This was part of the Labour government's 'Pathfinder' project.
"I lived down Phoenix Street in a property I'd had renovated, taking a lot of time and effort on my part - do you think I was happy with the situation? No, I was not - but I was told I had a pecuniary interest and could not get involved with this issue under the ERYC's Code of Conduct. I lived with this problem for two years. You, Mr Wilson, do not live there, you only own a property – are you thinking of your tenant or yourself?
"East Riding cannot issue CPOs at the moment as they are still in negotiations with owners and landlords who do wish to sell. Over the next few weeks East Riding will be contacting all the remaining owners to determine what they want to do. After this process the council will have to measure the area of each property belonging to the owners who do not wish to sell. They can only put CPOs on the 'area' of the land. Then and only then will they issues CPOs. And then you, Mr Wilson, you can have your day in court.
"Answering my question at the Full Council meeting last Wednesday, January 10, I was told officers are looking at between April to June, 2007 before this can happen.
"Picking up on some of your other remarks, Mr Wilson, I think you will find I have never put my hand up and voted for anything to do with ether of the two streets; this would have been hypocritical. I am not speaking avidly on behalf of the ERYC in support of their demolition plan, but for the residents who are still having to live in these two streets and who are in constant fear of burglary, fires and vandalism. The area resembles the wartime blitz and, yes, I do remember what that was like.
"As for residents being threatened with Eastgate flats, this has never happened. After being interviewed to ascertain their requirements, the East Riding Housing department look at all possibilities and only when they have an appropriate accommodation for these residents will they make an offer. New houses are being built in Goole and as people move into them other houses will be released onto the market.
"I have asked officers to contact all resident who live around the Phoenix Street and Richard Cooper Street area to be sure that they have a say in the future of the site, as some Marshfield Road properties do have a right of access to their back gardens.
"I hope this addresses all your hostile and uncalled-for remarks. I also hope it helps the electorate of Goole understand the process we have to go though before CPOs can be administered."