EXCLUSIVE

THE sale of over 1,000 Council houses on eight estates across the borough to a Moss Side landlord has sparked fears Stockport could be opening the floodgates to a culture of guns and gangs.

The 1,150 homes, which are on overspill estates in Bredbury, Marple, Bramhall, Cheadle, Romiley and Heald Green, are owned by Manchester City Council. It plans to sell them for £1m to social landlord Mosscare, responsible for housing in Moss Side - an area renowned for its gun culture and problems with gangs.

The move has sparked fears among members of the Stockport residents' steering group that people involved in crime in the Moss Side area could end up in Stockport's leafy suburbs like Bramhall and Marple, either by their own choice or as part of an attempt by the landlord to disperse problem tenants.

Their view is disputed, however, by the City Council which insists such fears are "totally groundless".

Bill Cawley, the former chairman of the residents' steering group and the East Manchester Union, and a resident on the Bredbury Green Estate said: "This is a real worry. I see the gun and drug crime in Moss Side and it could come to these estates.

"The way the list operates is that if a person from Moss Side is top of it they can choose to move wherever they want, as can somebody from Stockport."

His concerns were echoed by leading former Bramhall councillor Tony Johnson who said: "From what I understand, I believe it is likely to work out at 50 per cent of people living in Stockport and 50 per cent of people from outside the borough could apply for housing."

Coun Johnson added: "There are about 100 council tenants living in Bramhall who are likely to be transferred to the new company. The concern here is that over a period of many years Manchester has sometimes got rid of its problem tenants in this borough and elsewhere. It's necessary to ensure it doesn't happen again, in my opinion, by ringfencing these houses for the people of Stockport."

The manner in which Mosscare was chosen, has left some residents deeply sceptical about Manchester's intentions towards its Stockport tenants.

Mr Cawley claims that when the sale process was set up last autumn Mosscare was not even on the list of landlords agreed by his group.

He added: "I was told we could choose the social landlord, but when we produced a shortlist of four firms, Mosscare and Willow Park were added by Manchester City Council at the 11th hour."

Manchester City Council's executive member for neighbourhood services, Councillor Eddy Newman, said: "These fears are totally groundless. Mosscare is a reputable registered social landlord with an excellent track record of managing stock transfer estates.

"They have made significant investment to improve the quality of life of residents across these estates. In Stockport Mosscare has been working well with the steering group and consultation with Stockport residents has been very positive.

"Mosscare will work closely with other local Stockport housing providers to make sure homes are let fairly, giving access to local people. Existing tenants can remain in their own homes and those who want to move will be offered transfers to the areas where they want to live and where there are vacancies."

Coun Dave Goddard, the leader of Stockport Council, said the Council had already started work with Mosscare, and if the vote by residents in summer was successful, it would be welcomed as a full member of the Stockport Housing Partnership.

He added: "Stockport Council believes everyone should live in decent quality housing that is well maintained and properly managed."

A meeting to discuss the transfer with residents will be held on Wednesday, June 27, at the Highgate Centre, Bents Lane, Bredbury, starting at 7 pm.