Man, 71, living in middle of demolition site on abandoned estate

28 February 2024 , 10:11

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Phill Campbell at the demolition site on Union St in St Helens (Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)

A man is living in the middle of a demolition site on an abandoned estate as houses are knocked down around him.

Phill Campbell, 71, is one of the last people living on Union Street in St Helens, Merseyside, where the derelict homes are being demolished. Phill thought he would spend his remaining years in the house he bought 20 years ago, but for the past three years, he's been surrounded by empty properties after all the tenants were moved out.

In 2019, housing association Torus proposed plans to knock down 61 homes on the Gerard Bridge estate including on Union Street, College Street, Crab Street and Fox Place due to worries about the "future sustainability" of the properties and "wider environmental issues."

Since then, Torus has moved all of its tenants, leaving Phill and his neighbours, Abu and Noorjahn Jaigirdar, living in the middle of a demolition site. Phill said that both he and his neighbours have not yet agreed with Torus to sell their homes, having turned down previous offers. They are now waiting for an independent valuation to be done on their properties.

Phill told the Liverpool Echo: "It's wearing me down. This entire process has been going on for more than three years now. It's three years since they knocked on my door and said 'what would you say if we offered to buy your property because this is what we're planning to do.' The properties on either side of me are empty properties. Can you imagine what they're like in winter, they're not heated. My property as a result is as cold as a stone - and then you see the demolition.

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"It's like living in a third world country. Who wants to live in these situations? Particularly at my time of life. The only way I've survived over the last three years is by blocking it out of my mind as much as I can. It's affected my health. I'm on medication to control anxiety."

Phill Campbell says the situation is taking its toll (Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)

Phill fondly remembers moving into his house 20 years ago when the area was a lovely community with reliable, old-fashioned neighbours. But now, the empty houses around him have attracted rats and fly-tipping. The demolition of the run-down properties began in November, and the remaining residents have been told that the work should be finished by May. It's understood that there are currently no agreed plans for what will happen to the site after the demolition.

He added: "There's constant noise from the machinery. There are workmen swarming all over the place. I have to leave the house to get away from it. I can't stay in my own house because everything is so disruptive around me. I can only relax in the evening." Torus, the housing provider, has admitted that "demolition is unavoidably noisy" and has offered both homeowners "offered respite options during this time." They say they are still figuring out the best plans for the site's future and will share them once they're agreed.

Phill lives in a three-storey, three-bedroom house on Union Street. Torus has tried to buy Phill's home before, but he doesn't think their offer would let him buy a similar-sized property somewhere else. He's eager to make a deal with Torus and is open to more talks. In July 2019, locals were asked to vote on whether to knock down 61 houses on the estate. A whopping 78 per cent of those who voted said yes to the demolition. Torus said at the time that the final decision to demolish the properties was made "following meaningful and extensive consultation with residents."

A spokesperson for Torus said: "We can confirm that every effort is being made with the remaining owner-occupiers to reach a reasonable agreement to purchase their properties. We continue to work with the independent valuers and discussions remain ongoing. Torus remains fully committed to the regeneration of the areas and we understand the length of time this is taking has been frustrating for residents."

The demolition site on Union St in St Helens (Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)

"We are sorry for any disruption caused, but unfortunately, as we are sure people appreciate, large-scale redevelopment projects like this are sadly not quick or simple to complete. Throughout the project all issues mentioned, including vermin have been dealt with appropriately. To prevent issues with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, Torus have kept a security presence on site, this security will remain on site until the demolition is completed.

"We appreciate that demolition is unavoidably noisy, so therefore takes place between 8am-5pm to be as considerate as possible to residents. The owner-occupiers have also been offered respite options during this time; this offer remains in place should they be requested. In regards the future of the site, Torus Developments are still reviewing the best options available and as soon as plans are agreed they will be shared."

Rom Preston-Ellis