SNG accused of demolishing South Ham homes to solve problems

At a Buckskin and South Ham Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday, July 6, campaigner Zena Lindsay, chair of the Save Buckskin and South Ham (Save BASH) residents’ group, told SNG (Sovereign Network Group) there is “nothing wrong” with many of the homes which have been earmarked for regeneration — except for years of neglected repairs by successive landlords.

Speaking about one of SNG’s key ambitions for the area, “better homes and safer streets”, she said: “There’s nothing wrong with our existing homes. They just needed maintaining by the housing association.

"Not just SNG, but all the ones previously.”

Zena Lindsay, chairwoman of Save BASH, and treasurer Anne Horner (Image: Newsquest)

She asked the housing association: “When you get paid your rent, do you not put a pot aside for the maintenance? So if they need a boiler, you’ve got the money because you’re getting that rent.”

Zena told councillors that privately owned homes, which residents had invested in and maintained themselves, were now being swept into the regeneration plans alongside housing association stock.

“All the homes which are privately owned - the majority - there’s nothing wrong with them, because we maintain our own homes,” she said.

“We’ve got to this situation where you’ve got really bad homes around the area — and why?

"Because you’ve not maintained them.

"Who’s going to say that you’re not going to do exactly the same as what you’ve done in the past?”

Save BASH (Buckskin and South Ham) members Della Gill, Zena Lindsay and Ann Horner (Image: Newsquest)

Her comments were echoed by councillors, who questioned whether people who had looked after their properties were now being penalised.

Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Sean Dillow pressed SNG and council officers on the idea of “equivalence” — whether residents could be guaranteed not to end up worse off as a result of the scheme.

He said equivalence must mean more than just money, pointing to gardens, dog-walking spaces and long-standing neighbour relationships as things that give homes their value.

Cllr Gary Watts, who chairs the committee, said he agreed with the sentiment and that the council should seek “like-for-like equivalent properties with garden spaces” when homes are compulsorily purchased.

He said any detailed policy on compulsory purchase and compensation would ultimately have to go to cabinet.

Zena Lindsay at a public meeting (Image: Newsquest)

SNG representatives told the meeting that resident homeowners within the Pinkerton Road area would receive 110 per cent of their property’s market value, including the statutory 10 per cent Home Loss premium, plus support with legal fees, stamp duty and valuation costs.

Tenants displaced by the scheme would receive the government-set Home Loss payment of £8,100, plus disturbance allowances to cover moving costs.

But Zena questioned whether financial packages alone could make up for breaking up a long-established community.

Pointing to another of SNG’s stated ambitions, “stronger, more connected communities”, she asked: “How are you going to achieve this when you are removing people from the area?

"Where are they going to go?”

Flats in Pinkerton Road (Image: Google Street View)

She also claimed SNG has 23 bungalows in Buckskin standing empty, some, she said, for up to four years, and asked why those homes could not be used for rehousing residents affected by the Pinkerton Road plans.

SNG said it recognised the “loss that was felt” when previous community facilities closed and insisted it was listening to residents, pointing to recent engagement events and newsletters delivered to around 5,000 homes in Buckskin and South Ham.

The association said it would “continue to share information at the earliest opportunity” as plans evolve and that designs for Pinkerton Road remain at an early stage.

Polly Gardner, director of regeneration and major projects at SNG, said: "The proposed regeneration of Buckskin and South Ham is not due to a lack of maintenance.

"SNG and predecessor organisations have continued to invest in repairs, planned maintenance and home improvements over many years, including major components such as windows, doors, boilers, kitchens and bathrooms.

“While ongoing maintenance and investment remains a priority. Regeneration is being considered because some of the challenges facing homes and the wider neighbourhood cannot be fully addressed through repairs and replacement programmes alone.

“We do have some vacant properties in the area, which is normal for a housing provider as tenants move in and out of homes over time. Reletting suitable empty homes remains a priority for SNG, and we're working to bring homes back into use including to rehouse customers from Pinkerton Road while balancing longer-term plans for the area.

“Supporting residents is our priority. We're exploring all appropriate housing options, including the potential use of suitable vacant homes where appropriate, and we have a dedicated rehousing team that provides practical and financial support throughout the process. Any decisions will be guided by residents' individual circumstances, needs and preferences.

“In terms of the bungalows we’re reviewing the condition of the homes to understand more clearly how many we can bring back into use in the near future.”