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'Demolish Marhill Court - immediately'
Matthew Davis8/10/2008
MARHILL Court, which until recently offered sheltered housing to the elderly in Offerton since 1978, is at the centre of local controversy and should be ripped down immediately.
That’s the opinion of local Councillor Dave Goddard amid growing concern among residents on the Offerton estate that the building - which closed in July - will be targetted by vandals and arsonists.
Although Stockport Homes confirmed they are seeking approval from the council to demolish the building and redevelop the site for low cost housing, action needs to be taken now according to Coun Goddard.
He said: "The building needs to be demolished as soon as possible, it is in the middle of a council estate and anything could happen to it.
"I am also very concerned that all sorts of rumours have spread around the estate about what the building would be used for."
One concerned resident, Frieda Chorlton, 54, organised a petition called ‘Marhill Court is shut, now what?’ with over 150 signatures on it.
She said: "One of the reasons why we organised the petition was to get rid of the rumours going around the estate and find out what was happening to the building. We had been given no information.
"We were also concerned that like Dial Park School it would be left to the mercy of vandals and arsonists.
"We feel their decision to demolish it and build low cost housing is probably the best option, but we feel maybe they missed an opportunity to use part of the building as a community facility.
"As the building is in a very built up area and backs on to the community garden we hope any work carried out doesn’t cause too much disruption, mess or inconvenience. We still want information and consultation about what will be done to the building and the redevelopment plans."
Stockport Homes added the start date for demolition has not yet been decided but they are aiming to do it as soon as possible and that consultation with the residents will take place as part of the final development proposal.
In the meantime the building has been made secure by fitting screens and doors and the completion of regular security checks.
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Would he say for example.."its in the middle of a lovely detached development of houses inhabited by professionals and anything can happens to it"
What hes really saying is what he thinks, that many people living on council estates are members of some kind of underclass,only know crime,thuggery,vandalism and arson.
Mr Goddard needs to remember that the position he holds is a priveledge and not a right. Pride does sometimes come before a fall.
If the building is viable,it should be assessed,reused or redeveloped. We should not just autmoatically demolish buildings. Some people might think that this would be advantageous to the developers or those who promote it,rather than advantageous to the community.
1/11/2008 at 18:40