Lovells story in Yorkshire Evening Post

This story appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post on 12 October 2007.

Tenants get boost in fight to save flats
By DAVID MARSH
Municipal Reporter

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Tenants-get-boost-in-fight.3374167.jp

TENANTS fighting plans to sell three council tower blocks to private developers have scored a victory.Council chiefs have now decided to seek Government cash to improve the three Lovell Park tower blocks on the Little London estate in Leeds.

And Andrew Coley, chairman of Little London Tenants and Residents Association, today hailed the council’s change of heart as “fantastic news.”

Two years ago Leeds City Council revealed plans for a £95m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme to regenerate Little London. It proposed that as part of the project the three high-rise blocks could be sold to a specialist developer who would renovate them for sale or rent.

The suggested sale was strongly opposed by the association, who argued that no tenants should lose their homes as part of the regeneration.

After the Government last year approved the PFI, council bosses agreed to put the sale proposal on hold and consider other options for the blocks.

They have now decided to apply to the Government for Decent Homes funding to carry out major improvements to the flats.

Mr Coley said: “As an association we always said we didn’t want to see any demolitions or any sale of people’s homes.

“We wanted the community to be kept together and for everyone to benefit from investment. It is fantastic news that the council has decided to seek the decency funding.

“Apart from day-to-day repairs, there has been no capital spending on the Little London flats since PFI was first suggested in 2001. We back the council 100 per cent in trying to get this money.”

Process

Coun Les Carter, executive member for neighbourhoods and housing, commented: “This is the start of a process. We are by no means guaranteed the funding from Government, but this shows that the council is ready to take action to secure a decent future for Lovell Park flats.”

Coun Penny Ewens (Lib Dem, Hyde Park and Woodhouse) said: “I am aware that residents would like to see decent homes improvements and I am very pleased about this news.”

Coun Barry Anderson, who chairs West North West Homes, the council’s arms-length management organisation responsible for the estate, said: “We’ll be writing to all the residents to let them know the plan, and hope that we are able to bring good news back from our discussions with the Government.”