The Grimsby Evening Telegraph are reporting today, that the “Countdown to A New Start” for the East Marsh as now commenced; it is a positive step forward which will result in the demolition of one hundred houses on Guildford Street.
The remaining houses will be radically revamped, and it is hoped that as soon as the Guildford Street site is cleared new low density housing will be built which will radically transform the area; giving a “Fresh Start to the “East Marsh”. It is a one in life-time opportunity, in these difficult time and we need to make the best of the situation.
As reported in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph and on this website, the residents have been consulted on number proposals for the Guildford Street area, which would include a new street layout, home zone, and new low density housing to replace the existing housing; along with plans to revamp the housing that will not be part of the demolition.
The latest move in the development has been met with joy from councillors and the East Marsh Community Group, which wants to see new “aspirational” housing on the site.
Councillor Tony McCabe (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said the work is likely to begin in March, with work crews dismantling house interiors on half the closed off area.
He said: “We identified with the public just how far things had gone in terms of dereliction and boarded up properties and decided something practical needed doing. We got external funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, and we added money to that – which totalled £7.9 million. We used this to buy up the properties, and to cover the costs of people moving to new accommodation.”
Councillor Steve Beasant (Liberal Democrat, East Marsh) said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that we have moved a step closer to the demolition of Guildford Street.
“We are over the moon”
He said it would eliminate anti-social behaviour in the area. As reported, the boarded up homes had been a target of arsonist in recent months, which had been a cause of concern.
He added the next step would be the development of the site, full details of which have not yet been revealed.
“It’s a great opportunity to see what can then be developed on that area,” he added.
“This will be determined by what residents want to see put into place.
“But it will based on low density housing, aspirational housing – and build up people’s life chances – rather than a mish mash.”
John Harrison, Chair of East Marsh Involve said: “Everybody I have spoken to has seen the demolition as a way forward. It’s a start of a wider development of the East Marsh, which is definitely overdue.
“I have lived here since 1979, and back then it was quiet nice, respectable street, made up of families from the fishing industry.
“In the last in the last twenty years it has been in decline – although this will see the area climb back.
“I would like to see good affordable housing here; be it for the first-time buyer or the elderly.”
Alan Burley is the community development worker in the East Marsh. He said: “At the beginning of the process the residents didn’t trust anyone. They had heard it all before, and been consulted before, and had lost faith.
“Now residents are seeing things happen, they are happy to be part of the process.”
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