Story & photo: Lisa Swift
The Council have now sold 24 of the 32 properties they owned in Page Hall, raising a total of £856,358. The Council’s latest capital budget shows that just £10,000 will be spent back in Page Hall in the coming year, and will be spent on property management of the remaing unsold houses. The rest will be “reinvested in regeneration activity within the City”, which could be anything from spending on Park Hill flats to demolition in the south-east of the City.
Many properties were sold at auction, for less than they were bought for in 2005. The Council states it is selling the houses at market value.
Since the start of Housing Market Renewal in 2003, the Council has invested just over £2.5 million in Page Hall. It has paid for four houses to be refurbished to a very high standard, (the “Eco terrace”, 2-into-1 and the “21st Century terrace”), as well as improvements to Wade Street and adjoining green space.
With all but one of the improved terraces sold and the recent removal of benches from the green space, what is left of regeneration plans for Page Hall? The Council had no comment, but significant investment seems unlikely in the near future.
The Community Assembly has focused some resources on dealing with litter and fly-tipping in the area. Alison Rayner, Manager of the North East Community Assembly, said,
“Unfortunately a lot of it is generated from within the community itself due to the short term occupation of properties. It is everyone's responsibility to keep Sheffield clean. We are working with the community to organise a clean-up day so we can work together to tackle the issue of litter head on. Anyone who needs to arrange the removal of bulky refuse can get advice by calling 0114 273 4567.”
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