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HOME: Guy Griffiths is fighting the move.
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Families' final bid to save their homes
Roland Hancock1/ 9/2005
A SALFORD family is staging a desperate last stand to save their homes from being bulldozed by developers.
Brothers Anthony and Guy Griffiths and their mother Bernadette have been told they will be evicted by force from their homes in Higher Broughton anytime in the next week.
They initially refused an offer of £22,000 for each of their three-bed homes in Hampshire Street, which are to be knocked down as part of a scheme to build high-priced properties. They have since refused revised offers up to £40,000.
Only three houses remain occupied in the street, all owned by members of the Griffiths family, as demolition squads prepare to move in for the £120m Broughton Green development.
Developers plan to build apartments costing £100,000-£250,000 and houses ranging from £250,000-£450,000.
Bailiffs
Bailiffs have now visited the houses and told the family that they will all be thrown out by force in the next few days.
The family has steadfastly refused to move since Salford council secured a compulsory purchase order on the entire street last year.
The area will be developed for the Broughton Green development, the first stage in a seven-year project to build 700 homes, a library, youth club and sports facilities.
Developers plan to build apartments costing between £100,000 and £250,000 and houses ranging from £250,000 and £450,000.
Talks have been stalled for months as the Griffiths claim the council is not offering them enough for their properties or comparable houses in the area.
A council spokesman said that it had upped its offer from £22,000 for each house, to between £35,000-£40,000, after the Griffiths allowed a revised valuation last week.
Eviction
But Guy Griffiths insists that this offer is still too low. As he and his family were served with eviction papers, he said: "We have had our own valuation done on the properties in light of the new development and our houses are worth around £140,000. A similar property in nearby Leicester Street sold for £135,000, when it was valued at only £10,000 just four years ago."
"My brother and I have worked hard to pay off our mortgages. Why should we settle for less when properties are going for £100,000 around here in neighbouring streets that are not being demolished?"
Salford council leader John Merry said: "While they are continuing to negotiate, the Griffths brothers are also attempting to hold the council to ransom and we will not accept this. Guy Griffiths owns a number of properties in the area.
"We can't pay a price that a property is not worth. We are offering alternative accommodation. Anthony has identified a property and has asked us to view it. Guy has indicated that he might be interested in another property."
What should happen to the Griffiths family? Have your say.
Most recent 2 of 3 user comments
6/10/2005 at 16:07
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Was BBC right to let Wossy back to work?
Free country? I think not!!
11/12/2006 at 02:56
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