THREAT TO £35 MILLION HOUSING PROJECT

9.53.36am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

A large project to replace crumbling housing in North Devon is threatened by the unwillingness of Conservatives at County Hall to back the scheme. Nick says, "This is particularly disappointing as the residents of the properties concerned have been stuck in limbo waiting for this much needed rebuild for some considerable time. The worry is that all North Devon Homes' hard work to get this project off the ground will become unravelled."

The houses, built just after the war on the estates like Forches, Woodvillew & Pill Gardens Braunton from pre-cast concrete panels, now suffer badly from concrete cancer and most are well beyond economic repair. The houses are now owned by North Devon Homes who asked the County Council to find just £1 million to support this £35 million project

The Project is not just about the houses themselves but about giving a much needed boost to the local economy, especially the construction industry, and bringing about improvements to highways and drainage as well as cutting the carbon footprint of these damp and decaying properties.

County Councillor Chris Haywood said: "This is a win - win project for North Devon. Given the financial strength of Devon County Council that the Tories inherited from the Lib Dem last May, there is no reason why they should be dragging their feet in this way.

"The other partners are ready but unless the County comes on board before April there is a real danger it will collapse.

"As always when Conservatives run the County, North Devon loses out to the interests of South Devon."