A senior argues that since a social housing agency purchased his estate and he refused to sell, he is now living in a rat-infested demolition zone.
Phil Campbell, a retired professor, age 70, has lived in his three-bedroom, three-story house for the last 16 years after buying it as a place to enjoy his retirement.
When Torus made an offer of £81,000 in May 2021 to buy out the bulk of the Gerard Bridge estate in St Helen’s, Merseyside, he was upset since he had invested £75,000 in the home.
He is one of the two current Union Street inhabitants.
“About three years ago, a Torus salesman came me and asked if I would be open to us purchasing your property. I replied I would be,” Mr. Campbell stated.
“They made me an offer of £81,000 in May of last year, which was just too low; in the present real estate market, I couldn’t afford to purchase a home comparable to the one I now own.”
I sent them an email to let them know the amount I would take or to let them know I would be willing to trade one of my assets for one of their assets in the form of a home.
Since then, they have not responded to me, and all but one of my neighbors have left.
Since construction on the area started, vermin have proliferated, and the neighborhood has drawn a number of crimes, including an arson attack.
Mr. Campbell now feels stuck in his present home situation and terribly vulnerable.
Torus is a major firm that boasts about its commitment for social ideals on its website, but where is their passion for assisting me? he said.
“All of my neighbors moved out at once, and the houses are all still vacant or partially destroyed.”
I can hear rats racing around my kitchen at night since so many have subsequently moved into my house.
Rats keep returning despite Torus’ pest control efforts because they can smell me cooking in my kitchen.
It’s like Death Valley here right now, and it just gets worse as time goes on.
‘A few months ago, a home less than 100 yards from mine was the target of an arson assault.
‘I am really concerned about bonfire night and the wickedness it brings out. I am in continual worry of something happening to my own house.’
Mr. Campbell feels terribly alone in his fight against Torus since he doesn’t have any family and his pals are spread out across vast distances.
I’m a retiree living in a rat-infested construction site, and it’s extremely lonely, he continues. I feel really helpless.
“I don’t believe I’m asking for anything out of line; to Torus, a multi-million pound firm, it’s peanuts in their entire income,” you could say.
Torus assert that they are dedicated to revitalizing the Gerard Bridge estate.
‘We understand that rats are a problem in the areas and continue to work with both our own and the Council’s pest management staff to handle the matter,’ a Torus representative said.
“While we are unable to comment on specific cases, we can state that owner occupiers have received offers for their properties that were based on independent market valuations; sadly, these offers have been rejected.
We’ll be in touch with these residents while we work to find a solution.
“Rehousing Torus people has taken some time, but that has been our goal over the last several months.”
The official said, “We can confirm that they have been relocated to different houses as of last week.” We apologize for any delays in getting back to the two owner-occupants, on whom our attention may now be turned.
We continue to engage with the authorities to attempt to solve these concerns as well as the 24-hour on-site security we have put in place. We are aware of the persistent problems with anti-social behavior.
“We apologize that the persistent problems are upsetting the neighborhood residents, and we will be in touch with them over the next weeks to present them with any new information.”
In an effort to find a solution, “We will also be attempting to re-engage with the owner occupiers.”