Goscote Estate
Background
Goscote estate has suffered for many years from a very high housing void rate. Properties have become vacant and Walsall Housing Group (WHG), and previously the council, as landlord, has been unable to let the properties. As a result the area has become a target for extreme vandalism, theft of materials and incidents of arson. The existing housing layout lacks many of the recommended principles of 'Secured by Design' and the estate has been beset by issues of both anti-social behaviour and criminality. A key part of the Regeneration Framework Study is based on partnership work between the council and Walsall Housing Group (WHG) to secure the comprehensive clearance and demolition of the estate in preparation for its future redevelopment.
Purchase process for private properties
The purchase of privately owned properties is being managed by the council using grant funds secured from the Regional Housing Executive. The council has been using Fraser Wood (based in Walsall) to value private properties on the Goscote Estate and to negotatiate on the council’s behalf with the owners. The 'financial package' that the council has agreed to offer private property owners is in line with the government's recommended level of assistance / compensation that would exist if a Compulsory Purchase Order was in place. The financial package consists of:
- Market value (based on valutions by Fraser Wood)
- 10% of the Market Value (this is in line with Statutory Homeloss)
- Reasonable Disturbance Compensation
The council has also paid for private valuer fees when owner occupiers obtain their own property valuations if they consider that the original valuation by Fraser Wood is not appropriate. In many cases this has helped the council and the private owner to agree a negotiated purchase price.
A sum of £500,000 of the grant also assisted with the cost of the early phases of demolition work being undertaken by DSM demolition on behalf of WHG.
Achievements
Partnership work between the council and WHG has led to:
- The supported transfer of all WHG tenants to alternative properties in the borough
- Negotiated agreement to buy a number of the privately owned properties. At present 30 private properties (out of 31) have been bought by the council
- Planning permission was granted for the phased demolition of the estate in July 2007
- Approximately 6 properties remain following the phased demolition of Middle Crescent, Hildicks Crescent and Goscote Lodge Crescent that started in November 2007
View larger photograph (JPG 980KB)
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Useful documents
Useful links
- Visit the Walsall Housing Group (WHG) website
- Visit Goscote Consultation webpage
Contact us
Regeneration Development Team
2nd floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
Telephone 01922 653692
Fax 01922 652535
Email glovercaroline@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 21 May 2010
