Article from the local paper

Dot's dilemma - From the Wirral Globe

WIRRAL mum Dorothy Smith could be saddled with a bill for £27,000 if she wants
to remain in the home she has treasured for the past 30 years. Having paid off the mortgage on the Warrington Street house in Higher Tranmere, Dorothy, 58, was looking forward to a comfortable retirement.

But her dreams were shattered by a call from a local authority structural
engineer surveying the house in connection with a major housing regeneration
plan for the area as part of the Government's multi-million pound Housing
Regeneration Initiative.

Along with many others Dorothy's home could be under threat in plans for a
massive revamp for the neighbourhood. She is adamant that she will fight to
save her property. But following the visit of the engineer she recognises
that she is in a "Catch 22" situation.

She said: "According to him the house needs underpinning at a cost of £27,000.
If I move I will have to take out a mortgage to get a similar house, plus all
the upheaval and distress of moving."

The mother-of-three's plight has been recognised by Wirral Council housing
chief Cllr George Davies, who this week pledged to provide Dorothy with all
the financial advice at the council's disposal.

He said: "Mrs Smith has got quite a conundrum; but if she takes out a new
mortgage and has a shortfall of, say £30,000, the council can provide 'gap'
funding under the terms of the Government initiative.

"If she has financial worries the council can help out."

Dorothy disclosed: "We were told that because the house next door had been
propped up for 15 years the whole street was at risk from subsidence. But my
house doesn't look as if it is subsiding and I am determined to stay.

"My home is worth fighting for and I will fight."

Dorothy has spent hard-earned cash on her home over the years to get it the
way she wanted. The house has been pebble-dashed front and back and all windows are
double-glazed. The toilet, bathroom and kitchen have been re-plastered and ten new internal doors have been fitted. A wrought iron gate and railings add a touch of elegance to the property and a small lawn has been added at the back.

She observed: "I have finally got my home the way I wanted it. It is my little
palace, if you like, but it seems as if all my years of scrimping and saving
to buy these things have been wasted."

Cllr Davies said: "I am convinced that an agreement will be reached which is
acceptable to both Mrs Smith and the local authority. "We have a tremendous record in this respect. We have never yet had to compulsorily purchase anyone's home."


He said that following a neighbourhood open day to test local reaction to the
regeneration scheme, more than 65% of residents had indicated approval for
redevelopment; a further 25% had expressed approval with reservations and
less than 9% were against the scheme.