Local Council

[Tancho]

Hi everyone, new to this site so please be gentle! I am hoping someone can give me some advice.

For the last 12 years we have lived in tied (my wifes job) accomodation belonging to our local authority. We pay no rent but my wifes pay is at a reduced rate. We have a lot of problems with the local youths and this is set to increase next summer when the council intend to build a new youth facility adjacent to our house, consequently we have approached the council to see were we would stand in getting a council house. We have been told that the 12 years in a tied house does not count as being a council tenant, and that if my wife were to leave her job the council would not re-house us as we had made ourselves 'voluntary homeless'.

Any ideas on how we could approach this?

[Jhawc24]

You may want some advice from Shelter they have a good website.

Anyone can apply to go onto the council housing list - but because you are already in accommodation you will not be a priority for re-housing. Try and contact some of your local housing associations and get onto their waiting lists.

You may need some better advice re: your wife's employment contract - seems unfair to be expected to stay in the same job for 12 years or face homelessness!

[strangewayofsavin]

Go to the planning office of your local authority, and ask to see the book of approved plans. This will tell you if they have been granted planning consent for the youth place. even if they do not have to rebuild, they have to apply for a change of use order. If planning is granted, there may be a chance you could oppose the project. go to the web site of the deputy primeminister and veiw a white paper called PPG3. this is the government guide line for building/planning etc, you may find the're project is in breach of PPG3. which will make it easier to oppose it.
PPG3 stands for planning permission guidelines 3.
good luck.