Kirkholt transformation begins
7 January 2008
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the company that manages Rochdale Council homes across the borough, has been in touch regularly with residents in Kirkholt over the past year, through newsletters and open events, consulting on exciting plans for the regeneration of their estate, branded as 'Vision for Kirkholt'.
The proposals are now starting to come to fruition with explanatory letters sent today to all tenants whose homes may be demolished as part of the proposals. Plans for the demolition will be developed over the next five years.
The letters make it clear that this mailing is a formal requirement of notification, but does not mean that the recipient’s property is going to be demolished immediately. The work will be carried out in a phased manner and is likely to begin in April, with the first affected areas being Hartley Terrace and Queens Drive. Before any demolition work begins, affected tenants will be offered re-housing and compensation.
Other Kirkholt residents, who are not in the first phase, will receive further letters when the timetable for demolition is completed, so they can see when re-housing for their area will start. If tenants choose to move independently before RBH has scheduled re-housing for their area, Home Loss compensation package will not apply.
The letters also explain that as the property has been earmarked for demolition, the Right to Buy process is suspended. If any tenants have any queries about this, they can call Anne Palin at RBH on 273732. If anyone has already submitted an application, they may be entitled to compensation for any legal costs incurred and can contact the Property Advisor for the area, Caroline Goodall on 745115.
Advice sessions were offered to all tenants in 2006 and 2007, but if anyone has any questions or concerns at all about the process, please call Vivienne Hall on 273833 or contact Kirkholt Drop-in Centre on the Strand