Derker must go forward
Date published: 26 April 2011
Photo: Anthony Miller
FIGHTING for Derker: Cllr Jackie Stanton with Chronicle Editor David Whaley at one of the many clearance zones on Acre Lane.
SPECIAL REPORT: Chronicle Editor David Whaley joined Councillor Jackie Stanton on a tour of a troubled housing estate
IN closed session tomorrow night Oldham Council’s cabinet will consider a last-ditch proposal to end some of the long-running stand-offs on Derker.
Details have yet to be revealed, but it would appear that money has been found from somewhere to put together enhanced offers to the owners of the ‘gem’ properties that now stand as the only occupants among a row of otherwise empty terraced homes.
This is likely to be last-chance saloon for those determined campaigners who have fought tooth and nail against being forced out of their homes by the bulldozer.
The Chronicle understands that the offer — if given the go-ahead by the Council — will only be on the table for a matter of weeks.
If it is accepted then the blocks concerned will then be flattened. If the offer is rejected the buildings either side of the ‘gem” will be knocked down and the single homes left in isolation.
The Chronicle has for years reported on the “masterplan” for Derker, the battle-lines drawn by those residents opposed, right up to the recent crushing blow of the last-minute withdrawal by homebuilder’s Bellway to erect 148 new houses and the subsequent loss of funding.
There have also been stories about residents concerned about the derelict houses becoming targets for anti-social behaviour.
Without a shadow of doubt the Derker experience is a mess — but there has to be a way forward and the whole area cannot be forgotten as a failed project.
Deputy Council leader Jackie Stanton believes the residents of Derker have had a poor deal over the years and she took me on a guided tour of the streets to show the contrasts, challenges and downright despair that confronts the residents today.
She thinks that Derker folk are suffering from “consultation fatigue” having been told so many times what was going to happen only to be let down and disappointed time and time again.
But she is determined there will be no fire sale. The barren areas where homes once stood — soon to be expanded as more sorrowful rows of metal-shuttered properties are felled — will be held in waiting for the housing market to rekindle.
One man who believes there is still demand for homes in Derker is local businessman Alaster Rigby.
He and partner Dave Barnes have run AJR Motor Engineers on the estate for 22 years and have now branched out into RigbyBarnesHomes, building 14 properties on Flint Street.
They have had a battle to convince planners and bankers alike that their plans will sell but they have the first two homes completed and occupied by delighted locals and the next two on the way.
Each completion funds the next stage as getting banking funding for the whole project has proved a nightmare.
“These are good, modern homes with nice gardens and that is what people want,” said Alaster, joining us on the building site.
What they don’t need is derelict streets around them.
Jackie then takes me down to Fontwell Lane, an oasis of fine homes built around 15 years ago and holds this and the RigbyBarnes homes development up as examples of how things could and should look for the people of Derker. She hopes the proximity to Metrolink can deliver this.
But, as we head back into Oldham via the depressing Acre Lane, she admits it is not all about housing.
“We have to look at the whole picture. There are some families with issues on this estate on whom, when all the agencies involved are put together, we are spending £250,000 a year on.
“If we are spending that sort of money and still failing to deliver a better way of life we are getting something seriously wrong and have to examine what we do.”
We stop outside a block of sheltered housing flats that saw residents from all over Oldham brought together.
By total coincidence, out walks old Walter, happy to see friend Jackie and full of the joys of spring, saying: “Best thing we ever did moving to this place. Fantastic.”
Were it that more people were able to say that about Derker.
What do you think? Send us your views to editorial@oldham-chronicle.co.uk
