Plymouth families 'face financial ruin' in race to regenerate crumbling estate

Desperate residents say the planned renovation of a crumbling estate on the gateway of Plymouth's waterfront will leave them penniless.

Leaseholders of flats in Teats Hill and nearby Artillery Place have been told by social landlords Plymouth Community Homes they must cough up payments of potentially more than £20,000 to modernise the Coxside neighbourhood.

Stunned neighbours have been told they've got six years, starting from the end of 2019, to pay back the bill - close to £300 a month.

Many say it will rinse them of their salaries, pensions and any savings - and they may never clear the crippling debt in their lifetime.

Others say they have no other choice but to attach the mammoth fee to their lease as an 'estate charge' - which could make it difficult to sell properties.

And locals speculate the planned structural improvements are being rushed in now as the flats overlook the waterfront and chiefly the Barbican's Mayflower Steps - where rich international tourists will congregate next year for the Mayflower 2020 commemorations.

PCH housing chiefs insist the works have nothing to do with Mayflower - a celebration of Plymouth's links with America - and forms part of a wider programme of improvements across the city.

Yet Heather Nail, who has lived with her husband Bob in Artillery Place for 40 years, said: "My husband is 78 this year. We won't be able to pay it back in six years - it would mean us still being in debt when he is 84.

Gordon Sweet, Sue Ridout and Martin Ridout are all outraged by the contribution costs (Image: Penny Cross)

"I rang up PCH and said we're pensioners; we can't boost our income. The woman on the line said if you start saving now, you won't get the bill until the end of 2019, so you'll have some money to put down. It's unbelievable.

"We bought this for our children; for their future. We never had anything growing up and wanted to make sure we had something for them.

"Now they'll be left with nothing."

"A shock like this could kill a lot of people on the estate," Bob said.

Vanessa Horsfall is seeking legal advice about the situation (Image: Penny Cross)

Artillery Place neighbour Vanessa Horsfall is seeking legal advice on behalf of the 17 leaseholders across both estates who have been told they must pay.

Quotes for works to Teats Hill range from £1.2million to as much as £1.43million.

Whilst the cost of improving Artillery Place amounts to around £300,000.

But each of the leaseholders face similar costs of around £22,000 to get the job - set to take place over 31 weeks - done.

"We're stunned, it's shocking - because it's all so sudden," Vanessa said.

Artillery Place can be seen from the Barbican waterfront (Image: Penny Cross)

"There was no warning. We received a letter a year ago about building works, but nothing about cost.

"Now we've had letters to say this is how much it will all cost, and the contributions for each leaseholder.

"It's not the fact we're being asked to make a contribution, it's the sheer amount of money and the short amount of time we have to pay it.

"The repayment over six years; that's 40 per cent of my salary.

"Or, if I managed to pay some of it, it will wipe out my savings.

"It's not acceptable because the estate has been neglected for so long."

Martin Ridout and his wife Sue are incensed by the situation - similar to the one leaseholders in Ipswich Close, Whitleigh, face after PCH announced it would need up to £23,000 from each of them to improve the hard-up estate to the tune of £1.7milllion.

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"This would wipe out 50 per cent of my pension and that's our only income," Martin said.

"It will have to be a charge on the lease - otherwise I wouldn't be able to survive.

"It means that if I'm able to sell the flat, in terms of the profit I'd make, it would be 20 to 30 per cent less."

Gordon Sweet has lived on the Teats Hill estate is entire life - 67 years.

"I'm in the same boat as everyone else; I'm a pensioner and I don't have anything," he said.

Martin says there was talk two decades ago of launching a 'sinking fund' for tenants so they could stash money away in the likelihood of such a repairs programme taking place.

He reckons at least half the money would have been raised by now if housing chiefs had put the savings plan in place.

But he says that's only one example of where social housing tenants have been let down.

He said private homes around the Commercial Ope/Street area where handed tens of thousands in EU funding back in the 90s to renovate - whereas Teats Hill got nothing.

Teats Hill and Artillery Place estate in Coxside. Residents of Teats Hill and Artillery Place are up in arms over the planned improvements to the estate that will cost residents thousands of pounds. Pictured: Bob Nail and Heather Nail (Image: Penny Cross)

Planned renovations have also fallen through over the years which could have prevented the sudden need for major works, he said.

"We have had hopes, we have dreams, we have had all sorts," Martin said.

"It's been like cheese on a string."

Vanessa says residents feel like they're being lumbered with the cost of appeasing American tourists in the year of the Mayflower spectacle.

"We're well aware our estate overlooks the Mayflower steps where the tourists will be," she said.

Residents say there's not been any work done to the estate for years (Image: Penny Cross)

"It's as if Plymouth Community Homes wants to renovate now so it doesn't look like a blight on the landscape, on the gateway to the waterfront."

Martin said: "This is a desirable location, we're aware of that. It's a cul-de-sac where everyone knows each other, there are increasing numbers of students. We're within walking distance of town for most people.

"So we are in many aspects very lucky."

Plymouth Community Homes - our plan for Teats Hill and Artillery Place

Plymouth Community Homes is carrying out major renovation works in Teats Hill and elsewhere (Image: Penny Cross)

Sue Shaw, Director of Homes, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration for PCH, said: “We have a responsibility to keep our buildings in a good state of repair for the welfare of residents and we get the best value for money carrying out as many works in one go as needed, saving on contractor and scaffolding costs.

"We are carrying out extensive work on the blocks at Teats Hill and Artillery Place including new roofs and windows, external wall insulation and work to drainage.

"This is part of a wider programme of works being carried out to our blocks in different areas across the city and is not related to Mayflower 2020.

“It is made clear to all purchasers when they buy their discounted homes through Right To Buy (or subsequent purchase through solicitors) that they will need to pay for repairs, maintenance and improvement works carried out on their home in line with their lease agreement, like any other homeowner must do.

"Payments will not be due until after the works are completed, which will take about 40 weeks and residential leaseholders who have bought and live in their homes are given a further 5 year payment plan when the works are completed.

"Anyone who has bought a property and is sub-letting it as a business have 12 months to pay.

“All leaseholders were told about these plans last March and this further letter is giving an indication of likely costs.

"We understand the level of cost needed to maintain a decent home can put pressure on individual finances, which is why we’re working with our leasehold customers.

"We would urge any leaseholders concerned about the costs to call us to talk through payment options.”