Liverpool council has warned that the clearance programmes planned by the market renewal pathfinders could be at risk after red tape halted demolition work on the city's most notorious estate.
The regeneration of an estate in the Norris Green area has stalled after two months because the contractor has been unable to obtain letters confirming that the electricity has been turned off in each of the properties scheduled for demolition.

The council, which expects work to restart "shortly", has told housing minister Keith Hill that the problem could occur on other pathfinder demolition projects.

Flo Clucas, Liverpool's cabinet member for housing, said: "We are going to have a real problem in all the pathfinder areas if we don't get this sorted out."

Contractor Tisdale has cracked down on health and safety after an on-site accident with a live electric cable in Coventry on 27 November.

It now refuses to demolish homes until they have received written confirmation that that electricity has been turned off.

But because of deregulation, the council has to deal with 14 electricity providers, many of whom refuse to reveal their client lists, citing commercial interest.

Rather than receiving one letter for a block of flats, the council has to get a letter for each property, which has caused the delay.

Clucas said: "It has been a nightmare. We need a system to ensure it does not happen again."

The £170m Norris Green renewal will build 1700 homes to replace 1500 "Boot" houses. Of these, 25% will be social housing.

A spokesman for the ODPM said it could not comment at this stage.

Source

Housing Today