Following the victory of local resident Nellie Ramsey, saving the last wavy-roofed houses, the Messenger has been following the plight of the Galloway family.
The Galloways had resided at 6 Gray Street, next door to Nellie Ramsey, for over 30 years. “All our misery began with the demolition plans for Woodside followed by daily harrassment and demands from a senior housing manger to vacate our house. We were finally paid £3,100 to move, amidst claims we were holding up the demolition of wavy-roofed houses.”
Since that time, 6 Gray Street has been squatted until recently, along with other wavy-roofed houses reprieved from demolition. In fact number 6 has now been refurbished and is ready to be reoccupied. Since news of Gray Street’s reprieve, Basil and Sandra Galloway have appealed to the housing department for the first offer of returning to their home. On 17th March the Galloways received a letter offering an appointment with a housing officer.
Dear Mr & Mrs Galloway
We have received your request for a rehousing interview. If you can attend the office on Monday 20th March 2006 at 10am we will deal with your rehousing need at this time. We are looking into making a discretionary decision for your return to your previous tenancy of 6 Gray Street, Sheffield.
Yours sincerely, Lemuel Banton, Housing Officer
Given hope by the letter, Basil and Sandra attended that appointment. “Mr Banton told us to fill out a rehousing form and return it,” said Basil. “Again building up our hopes and still we heard nothing positive,” adds Sandra. “Until three weeks ago, when we went to complain about rodents in this property and was told we won’t get offered a return to Gray Street.”
Since the Galloway family were initially demanded out of 6 Gray Street under a decision made to demolish, they have been given real hope that they would be given an opportunity to return.
“After 30 years of living on Gray Street, using our City Council’s name, some people are behaving like this.Why have they treated us this way? We were the last to leave and never wanted to move. All I want is what I see as my rightful home back.”
On behalf of the local housing office Lemuel Banton said: “My part of the job is collating information and passing it on to section managers. It’s them who make the decision and as far as I’m aware no decision has been made concerning the Galloways yet.”
Glyn Hitchen, Assistant Area Manager at Sheffield Homes said: “There is very high demand for four-bedroom properties across Sheffield, therefore Sheffield Homes has to ensure that vacant properties such as 6 Gray Street are used to their full potential. The Galloways currently have a three-bedroom house close by that meets the needs of their family, however we understand their emotional attachment to Gray Street. We are currently investigating the family’s application for a discretionary decision to allow them to move back into 6 Gray Street and will contact them as soon as possible regarding this.”
by Rob Smith