Demolition hits mum’s return to her home

A mum’s hopes of returning to her terrace house 14 months after the Shaw gas blast, have suffered a new blow.

Charlotte Elson has been told she won’t be able to move back into Buckley Street home for several weeks more, following a decision to demolish the adjoining house.

She is furious she wasn’t consulted about her neighbour’s property being bulldozed.

Several houses in Buckley Street - including Charlotte’s a number 19 - were badly damaged by the explosion in June 2012. She has lived in temporary housing with friends and family since then.

As the date for returning to her repaired home drew nearer, she discovered her next-door neighbour Liza Hackney had her house bulldozed.

Charlotte said: “We had to have a lot of work on our house, but Liza’s was worse than mine.

“I’ve not been asked if I give permission to knock her house down - which I think I deserve as we live in terrace properties. My insurers don’t have the authority to step in but apparently the council does, so I want it to do something. This could cause massive problems for my house.”

Oldham Council confirmed it has no responsibility to tell householders if demolition is taking place bearby.

Councillor Dave Hibbert reassured Charlotte the council is doing all it can to prevent damage to her home.