Happy move for Kirkholt family
7 April 2008
Moving to a new home just a short distance from their previous property went smoothly for Kirkholt residents Lee and Michelle Wild.
And the couple have set about redecorating their Nevis Street home, as well as installing a new kitchen.
When they first heard about redevelopment proposals for Kirkholt, they were concerned. “We had spent a lot of money on our old house, and moving house was a daunting prospect.” At first, Lee and Michelle objected to original proposals.
But after a few months, they decide to speak to Property Advisor Caroline Goodall, to see what options were available. Michelle said, “We thought, if we move soon then we can get it over with, if we leave it all the good properties will be gone.”
The couple wanted to buy their new home, so with support from Caroline both the Council’s Valuer and an independent valuer valued their home. They then negotiated a price for their home, together with an amount of compensation.
Michelle said, “Knowing how much we had to spend, we could then go house hunting. Once we had decided where we wanted to move to everything was organised for us.” Both Lee and Michelle were very impressed by the service they received. And the move itself went very smoothly.
Housing Market Renewal paid all the couple’s valuations, solicitors and removal fees. Having paid off a mortgage they were glad they didn’t have to borrow more to get the house they wanted, although they have borrowed an amount to invest in their new home.
They have moved from a two bedroom to a three-bedroom property. Lee had been born on the Kirkholt estate, and didn’t want to move away. Lee, an alarm engineer, said, “In the long term I think the changes will be good for the estate. We’re very pleased with the house. This end of the estate is very popular.”
Though their new house has a smaller garden, they are very happy with the move. And they found their new next-door neighbour was someone Lee had known for 30 years.
At the same time, the couple’s eldest daughter Leanne and her partner Mike have also moved from another Rudyard Grove property to a new home at Hill Top Drive.
Regeneration proposals for Kirkholt include replacing up to 600 existing homes with new, quality modern homes for sale and rent and introducing further new housing developments, which could mean building up to 1,400 new homes.
New community facilities are planned together with modern shops with better parking and disabled access to replace existing outdated shops.
New, safer green spaces would link in with an improved Balderstone Park, making it easier for people to move through the estate on foot and by car, bus and bicycle.
photo:Michelle in her newly decorated living room