Were the houses owned by the housing associations such as Plus Housing seen by them as a liability? They had not been able to bring them up to acceptable standards. However, using the city council as an intermediary, it would be possible for some houses to be released for sale to incoming owner-occupiers. The receipts from such sales could be plowed back into the Neighbourhood Renewal Area in the same way as the government subsidies from demolition are intended to be reinvested.
Willing new or existing owner-occupiers would, prudently, finance and fund their own refurbishment. "Gold plated" 30-year lifetime replacements and renewals would not always be necessary. Comparisons of the costs to the public purse of refurbishment as opposed to demolition have been biased by the assumption of 30-year lifetimes.
To challenge pessimistic assumptions, a real-life experiment in refurbishment took place in 29 Powis Street.
Unfortunately, decison makers have dismissed this experiment out
of hand - one further example where scrutiny has been frustrated.Media stunt or professional experiment? Councillors were never shown the evidence to judge.
The Ringo Starr Factor
Ringo was born in the house at 9 Madryn Street. He lived there for four years.Madryn Street is a scheduled stop for coach tours on the "Magical Mystery Tour".
In a city which is totally unembarrassed about exploiting any available link with Beatles' heritage, it is surprising that there has been no serious consideration of the tourist potential of Madryn Street.
To an enterpreneurial city, there is value there that could be captured in a redevelopment rather than obliterated: -
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promoting retail or catering facilities that might convert sight-seers into visitors and customers; and
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promoting the premium value of owning or renting a conserved house in the actual street where Ringo Starr first lived as a child.