A Plymouth city councillor is vowing to support residents ‘100%’ as concerns grow over a long-awaited housing scheme in Barne Barton.
St Budeaux councillor Sally Haydon said she will fight ‘tooth and nail’ to push Plymouth City Council to ensure the £22m rebuild of ex-naval housing in Barne Barton goes ahead after Midas Group Ltd announced its intention to appoint an administrator.
The UK’s largest provider of affordable housing, Clarion Housing Group, is transforming the area into a ‘sustainable and vibrant community’ and Midas was selected to develop the 4.65-hectare site within the neighbourhood via its Mi-space company.
“I am asking for an urgent meeting with the council and will fight tooth and nail to make sure this development happens,” said Cllr Haydon, who has been a St Budeaux Labour councillor since 2006.
“It is impossible to underestimate how much people in Barne Barton need this development to go ahead as planned. I am on Clarion Housing’s Residents’ Board and will be working with them to make sure they are supported to achieve this project.
“The news of Midas going into administration has been a real shock to people who have been waiting for years for their promised new homes.”
Two residents who contacted Cllr Haydon were Kelley and Mark Tamblin. The couple have been waiting for more than four years to see work start on the development which they hope will eventually be their home.
“It is extremely worrying that the build seems to be in jeopardy,” said Kelley. “We need some urgent reassurance from the council that Clarion will still receive the support it needs to make sure the development happens.”
Cllr Haydon added that she will be holding a street stall in St Budeaux Square on Saturday 5 February at 1pm.
“I will be there for a couple of hours so any residents with worries or concerns can come and have a chat with me, I am here to support them 100%.”
