The trust claims that the estate has fallen victim to low demand in the area, and is doing all it can to rehouse families affected. It points out that 18 of the homes earmarked for demolition are empty.
But Fisher blames the Trust's void problem on bad management and claims it has failed to consult residents on alternative strategies for the area.
Speaking to Housing Today Fisher he said: "The idea that no one wants to live on the Abbey Hulton is absolute nonsense. It's a long established and extremely cohesive community."
He added: "It's hardly the action of a responsible landlord to demolish perfectly good houses - some of which are in superb condition - and evict decent tenants. Some of the tenants have been there for 50 or 60 years."
He claimed that the council-owned half of the estate only has a void rate of 2 per cent, whereas William Sutton's has 18 per cent voids on its half. "William Sutton is charging £10 a week more for comparable properties," he pointed out.
Fisher added that it was "bizarre" that only 3 miles from the estate another housing association was completing the construction of a 350-home estate.
William Sutton's plans have shocked local tenants, who pledged to fight the move at a packed local meeting last week. Roy Fryer, one of the residents affected, said: "We were given no warning. When we received the letter my wife broke down."
William Sutton housing director (west) Judith Winterbourne disputed Fisher's claims. She said: "Lack of demand is highlighted by the fact that the local authority have made no nominations of new tenants for three years. By carrying out his demolition the Trust will free up resources to invest in securing the future of the estate."
Source
Housing Today
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