Last family living on derelict street refuse to leave home in council dispute

05 December 2023 , 14:26

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Demonique Wilson with his wife and children outside their home in Salford, Greater Manchester (Image: Manchester Evening News)

The last family living on a derelict street are refusing to leave and are currently locked in a dispute with their council which is planning to demolish their home to make way for a £250million regeneration project.

Dad-of-seven Demonique Wilson and his wife are involved in a row with Salford town hall bosses. Their three-bed home in Pendleton, Greater Manchester, is the only one still occupied in the otherwise empty row.

A planning application to knock down the houses and replace them with a 485-home scheme is being looked at by Salford City Council. But Mr Wilson, a mental health nurse, his wife and their kids are staying put because they say the council's offer of £165,000 to move out isn't enough. He says it's impossible to find a home big enough for them all in the Pendleton area for that money.

Mr Wilson scrolls through the emails from Salford city council on his phone, one telling him his house is only worth £165,000

A lawyer for the family claims that a three-bedroom home in the area would cost between £227,000 and £300,000. The Wilsons bought their former council house 15 years ago for £70,000 and now owe less than £23,000 on their mortgage.

In August 2022, the city council offered them £95,000 to move out, an offer which has since been increased. However, Mr Wilson believes this is still not enough, reports the Manchester Evening News.

London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard

The Holcombe Close home is the only occupied house in the row

"I think the city council are being unreasonable," said Mr Wilson. "They have offered me what it would cost for only a two-bed property. How can I accommodate a family of seven in such a place? It's virtually impossible. This situation is causing me and my family a great deal of stress."

A spokesperson for Salford city council explained: "The council can only pay the market value of the family's current home and has offered the family additional assistance in the form of a relocation equity loan to help bridge any gap to help the family buy a new home." When asked if the disagreement over the property's value was delaying the planning application, they responded: "No, as with all applications of this size, the local planning authority is awaiting consultation responses to enable them to consider the application as a whole, which includes 146 affordable homes and improvements to Clarendon Park and the wider neighbourhood."

How the proposed homes in Pendleton will look (No credit)

This massive development plan is part of Pendleton's major regeneration that started in 2009. The 22-acre project will have 70% of homes for sale on the open market and 30% affordable homes. It will feature 10 apartment blocks ranging from three to four storeys high and houses between two and three storeys. The scheme will also include about 10 acres of green space, half of which will be taken up by Clarendon Park, with the rest allocated to the Fitzwarren Street and Churchill Way gateways to the development, allotments and a skate park.

The local authority has made 81 changes to the original plans submitted by design and consulting specialist Stantec Ltd on behalf of Lovell, SP+ and Together Housing. A letter from Stantec to the authority states: "Since 2009, Pendleton has been the focus of regeneration activity.

Demonique Wilson outside the home in the summer of 2022 (No credit)

"The city council's longstanding aim has been to create a new neighbourhood of choice where people and families have a real pride in the place where they live. Consistent with the work that has been ongoing for more than a decade, the vision for this full planning application is to deliver Salford's greenest and most family-friendly urban neighbourhood."

It said this would be achieved by delivering new homes that 'will increase the local population and enhance the quality of life for all'. "With this vision in mind, the plans have been designed to create a walkable and cycle-friendly neighbourhood that breathes new life into Pendleton by delivering a choice and range of new homes - for a range of occupiers, including existing Salfordians, young professionals, families, retired and mature people or couples," the letter also says.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Nick Jackson