CROSBY & LITHERLAND
2 October 2019
CELEBRATING
25 YEARS
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Vol 26 l Issue 40
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SHOCKED RESIDENTS TO BE TURFED OUT OF FLATS
INSIDE THIS WEEK...
Hundreds told they will have to leave for repair work to be carried out as devastated elderly tenant says ‘I’ve no idea where I’m going to go’ Report by Tom Martin HUNDREDS of residents living in three high rise towers in Waterloo and Seaforth have been left shocked and devastated after owners told them they will be turfed out. Tenants at Dean House and Chapel House, both in Waterloo, as well as Willow House in Seaforth, have all been told by landlords One Vision Housing they will have to leave once alternative accommodation is found for them. Bosses at OVH say urgent work needs to be carried out to the three buildings which has “raised questions over the future viability of the blocks.” The rehousing process will begin “immediately ” and they have already been placed in waiting lists by Sefton Council for new accommodation. Residents will also be entitled to around £7,000 financial support during the moving process. One resident who lives at Chapel House told the Champion she only found out she will be forced to leave her home after speaking to a neighbour. She said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I found out after a neighbour told me and I had to ring up One Vision and a lady told me over the phone. “I’m 70 years old and wanted to spend the rest of my days here. I love living here it’s in a really nice area of Waterloo and close to the beach and marina.
“I just can’t believe it. I have no idea where I’m going to be living. I’m thinking of others as well. “There are elderly people and others with young children who will be just as upset as me. I’m in a complete state of shock.” OVH say there are 171 flats across the three buildings, and the works needed is “due to the nature of the construction type of these blocks.” A spokesperson for OVH said: “As part of our ongoing asset management strategy, recent surveys have identified that certain works are required to three of our high rise blocks, which unfortunately cannot be sensibly or safely completed with tenants in situ, and which raise questions over the future viability of the blocks. “As a result, regrettably, we have had to take the decision to rehouse those tenants in the three blocks (Willow, Chapel and Dean House). “Additionally, we have been working with Sefton MBC over recent weeks, which has resulted in residents being awarded priority decant status, which will assist in the rehousing process. Residents will also be entitled to financial support amounting to circa £7,000. “Priority decant status will give tenants the highest priority on the housing waiting list and a choice of where they would like to be rehoused. “We are currently visiting all tenants in the blocks to explain the situation and provide support and assistance. “We anticipate that the rehousing process, which will commence immediately, will take a period of time to complete.”
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Residents have been told they will have to leave Chapel House in Waterloo, main picture, Dean House, Waterloo left, and Willow House in Seaforth, inset right.
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