Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Spotty showersNews
Massive homes boost for Asians
Steve Hammond2/ 2/2004
ONE of Oldham's main Asian neighbourhoods is to be transformed
by a major re-building programme aimed at integrating the
community.
Almost one-in-three houses of Werneth and Freehold's 1,800
properties are to be demolished and replaced by 988 new homes. A
further 914 homes are to be modernised and nearly half the area's
300 council properties will be improved.
The re-building will also create more open spaces and improve
traffic safety in the area.
Public consultation on the re-building, the biggest seen in the
town for over 20 years, will begin this year with building work
beginning sometime in 2005/6.
Over 4,800 people live in the area - half are white and half Asian
- and one of the aims of the project is to integrate the two
communities to prevent a repeat of the 2001 riots.
A council report on the scheme says human nature dictates that
people like to 'live among their own'.
But it adds: "Lack of interaction between the communities can lead
to misunderstanding and fear....some people are scared to move into
new neighbourhoods and some areas are overcrowded, whilst others
have large numbers of empty properties."
The report admits that integration requires more than physical
changes to the environment and that a change in attitudes will be
crucial as well.
It says this can be done by bringing more training and jobs into
the area and involving Asians and white residents in making
decision about their futures.
The scheme in part of a government funded Pathfinder Project
designed to revive the poorest areas of Oldham and neighbouring
Rochdale.
Over a period of 15 years 6,000 homes will be demolished and
replaced by 7,000 modern dwellings.
Other areas included in the scheme are Wardleworth and Hamer in
Rochdale; Langley in Middleton and Derker in Oldham.
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Low Rate Balance Transfer | 1.7% |
| Capital One Low Rate Platinum | HASH(0x15748ca0) |
| Capital One Fixed Rate Card | 0.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
5.50% |
|
PRINCIPALITY BS e-SAVER |
5.35% |
|
ANGLO IRISH BANK Easy Access Account Issue 2 |
5.25% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
2.75% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Online Tracker |
4.75% |
|
BRADFORD & BINGLEY eSavings 6 |
4.60% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
3.50% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
5.00% |
|
POST OFFICE Instant Saver |
3.75% |