Events in Little London have taken another dramatic twist. Last Thursday (14th December), a press release (see below) from the Leeds Lib Dem Group (part of the ruling council coalition) declared a last minute stay of execution for the three Lovells tower blocks in Little London. The flats had originally been ear-marked for sale to a private developer for refurbishment as private homes with the money raised being invested in paying for the £215 PFI scheme over 20 years. Now it has emerged that selling off the Lovells is no longer necessary to finance the PFI scheme and new options for the tower blocks are being prepared for consultation in spring 2007.
Incredibly, the Lib Dems are trying to claim credit for this u-turn, stating that it was due to their 'pressure'. This is nonsense and shows how politicians cannot be trusted. During the February consultation, the tenants and residents of the Lovells said 'no' to the sale of their homes and were simply ignored by the Council. We campaigned for months, went to the High Court, collected a huge 500-signature-strong petition, ensured constant media spotlight on the issue and made it clear to our local Lib Dem councillors that they would suffer at the next election. If the Lovells are no longer going to be sold off it is because of the tireless campaigning of tenants and residents. It is also clear that the council is going to make far more money from big pieces of development land that will be cleared by demolishing the Carlton Towers, the maisonettes and the shops, community centre and housing office.
The campaign fights on to stop the PFI and ensure decent, council housing and community facilities for everyone in Little London.
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Local Councillors win stay of execution for Lovell Park Towers
Following representations from local Liberal Democrat Councillors plans to sell off the Lovell Park Tower blocks in Little London to developers have been put on hold. New options are being worked on for consultation in spring next year.
Cllr Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said :- “the recent success of the PFI bid to bring nearly a thousand homes in the Little London area up to decency standards, and build over a hundred new properties; does not depend on the Lovell Park Tower blocks being sold off to private developers for refurbishment and resale. In our view it’s therefore essential that we consult with residents in the blocks as to the best way forward.”
Cllr Linda Rhodes-Clayton (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) added “as local councillors we’ve fought for the best deal for local residents and our first priority was to achieve the maximum possible investment for addressing the backlog of repairs the current administration inherited. Now that the Government has agreed to an investment of over £95 million in the PFI scheme for the area outside the Lovell Park Tower blocks we need to rapidly get on and find a solution for the blocks themselves.”
Cllr Penny Ewens (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) summed up the outcome as a ‘win, win’ solution for local residents. “We seem to have achieved a real result, the investment and the opportunity to revisit the controversial proposals for the Lovell Park Tower blocks, without blocking the vital work for other properties. As we have always said, we put a high priority on consulting with local residents, and this proves that brings results.”
For further information please contact :- Please do not give out numbers to the public
Cllr Kabeer Hussain on 07709176007 (m)
or Cllr Linda Rhodes-Clayton on 07850733140 (m)
or Cllr Penny Ewens on (0113) 294 6976 (h)
Alan Kimber on (0113) 2474832
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1 comment:
So the Flats are saved but where is the money to bring them up to standard? think its all been spent on bull shit.....
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