PREGNANT mum of five Tina Setters has welcomed plans to bulldoze the Grand Bouet. But the 33-year-old resident, who is expecting her sixth baby, is worried about where her family will go.
Housing minister Dave Jones yesterday pledged to have the run-down estate demolished in the next four to five years.
Mrs Setters has lived there with her unemployed husband, Robert, 43, and children Stuart, 14, Sarah, 13, James, 10, Owen, three, and two-year-old Josh for seven years.
The stay-at-home mum said it was about time the 70s-built social housing was razed but feared for her family’s future.
‘The buildings aren’t safe because there aren’t any fire exits and these buildings are three stories high.
‘They need an upgrade or to be knocked down and started again.
‘I would rather they spent the money and built new houses, as long as they put a roof over my kids in the meantime.’
Mrs Setters, who is due to have her baby in July, said the uncertainty of where she and her young family would be living in the next few years was a serious concern.
‘I’d be quite happy if they put us in some nice ones like they’ve got up the road at Roseville, but anything like these houses would be pretty desperate.’
Mrs Setters squeezes her large family into a three-bedroom house.
‘If a fire breaks out on the top floor, there’s no way of getting out and, with kids, that’s a big worry,’ she said.
But she added that at least her family had somewhere to live.
‘My family must have temporary accommodation if they decide to bulldoze this place,’ she said.
Other residents have voiced their concern over what will happen to them when Housing decides to demolish the estate.
A department spokesman said considerable planning would go into moving tenants out of the Bouet.
‘But at this stage, when the timetable has not yet been decided other than the fact that it will take place within five years, it is not possible to provide detailed information,’ he said.
‘When the timetable has been decided, the department will make sure that all tenants are contacted individually to make sure they understand the process and how it will affect them.’
Guernsey Housing Association chief executive Steve Williams said it would work with Housing in the relocation of tenants.
‘We will be looking to assist with the moving out of people from the estate into vacant properties as homes in new developments or current ones become available.
‘The Bouet is probably one of the largest social housing developments that has passed its sell-by date.
‘We are assisting with States housing developments and obviously we are keen to work with them on redevelopment of the Bouet.’
* Are you a resident of the Bouet and worried about what might happen to your family? Email newsroom@guernsey-press.com or call 240223.
Article posted on 23rd May, 2007 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: