NINETEEN more boarded-up houses are to be demolished in a Stoke-on-Trent regeneration area.
But the derelict properties have been left standing in part of Travers Street, in Middleport, because two of the homes are still not owned by the city council.
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GOING: The remaining houses in Travers Street, Middleport.
Now those owners have until February 13 to contact the council about the properties so it can acquire the homes and demolish them.
The houses have been condemned because of subsidence and the condition of the properties. The site is within the Trent and Mersey Canal Conservation Area.
Neighbouring residents are backing the demolition plan after the area was targeted by fly-tippers and vandals.
Mother-of-six Lynn Knapper, who has lived in nearby Port Street for four years, said: “When we first moved here the streets were full of people but now we feel like we are the only ones left.
“Travers Street has become dangerous and I think the sooner the houses get demolished the better.
“The houses and walls are crumbling down and the kids cannot play out in the backyard because of the rubbish everywhere.
“It is a bit of a shame that we don’t have many tenants around here anymore because it was nice to have neighbours.”
But Julia Wright, of neighbouring Morton Street, questions when any renovation work will start.
The 50-year-old housewife said: “My mother lived in Travers Street and we sold the house to the council after she passed away three years ago but still nothing has been done with it.
“It is an eyesore for us on neighbouring streets and we want the work to start to improve the area.”
The terrace properties were built to house workers from the Grade II-listed Middleport Pottery factory.
But regeneration cash has now dried up and even Prince Charles questioned why the houses are to be knocked down during a recent royal visit.
The factory’s site manager, Paul Deighton, aged 56, of Cheadle, said: “It is always a shame to see houses demolished because you think with a bit of time and vision the properties could have made great starter homes, especially at a time when a shortage of housing seems to cause issues.
“But I think we have to take the longer-term view and even if it causes disruption for a time it will get better.”
Government agency Renew North Staffordshire and the council have spent £1.75 million buying 33 homes along the entire length of Travers Street.
Earlier plans to build 25 houses on the cleared land have now been replaced by proposals to create extended gardens and a car park for Port Street residents.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “A public notice has been issued advising of the council’s plans to declare clearance areas in Travers Street. This notice is the first stage of the statutory process to acquire the remaining two properties.
“We are inviting people who have an interest in any of the buildings to make written representations to the council. “This must be received by February 13.”