05 February 2024 , 13:22
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The last residents in a derelict housing estate surrounded by rats and squalor marked for demolition have refused to leave their homes.
Dozens of properties have already been demolished on the abandoned estate on Union Street in St Helens, . Housing association Torus plans to remove 61 homes due to concerns about their "future sustainability" and "wider issues” and just two homes remain. The association has had success in relocating and rehousing nearly all the tenants - except for grandfather Abu Jaigardar, 83, and his wife Noor who have called the area home for more than 35 years and have been offered more than £110,000 to move - but have so far refused. Their neighbour, Phill Campbell, also refuses to leave.
Mr Jaigardar told MailOnline: "I'm heartbroken over what's happened to our neighbourhood, it looks disgusting and we've had loads of rats take over the empty houses. You can hear them scuttling around in our roof and we see them all the time.
Abu Jaigardar, 83 and Noor Jahman outside what is left of their neighbourhood (Steve Allen)"I'm scared to leave the house at night as it's so dark outside. We have even had to use lights from a car to light my way.”
His grandson, Saif Rahman, added how Mr Jaigardar has had a “nervous breakdown” over his home. He added he cried when another home was knocked down recently.
London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard
The majority of the homes are now empty or in a state of destruction (Steve Allen)Their only remaining neighbour, Phill Campbell, previously said: "They first approached me about three years ago now. They said 'what would you say if we made an offer to buy your property?' Since then and now they've rehoused all of their tenants in this area. So there are two houses that remain occupied - there's myself, and the people two doors down. We both own our properties.
This photo shows the state of the estate (Steve Allen)"I'm not being unreasonable in anything I ask. I bought this house as a retirement property and I was prepared to spend the rest of my days here. The problem is I'm a pensioner, I'm 70 years old now, and I'm living in the middle of a demolition site and my kitchen is infested with vermin. I do feel isolated and quite vulnerable."
Phill Campbell, 71, is the couple's only neighbour (Steve Allen)
Rubbish is strewn across the neighbourhood (Steve Allen)Paul Warburton, Torus Group Housing Director, said: "Torus are fully committed to the regeneration of the areas and we understand the length of time this is taking has been frustrating for residents. Unfortunately, Torus cannot move forward with any regeneration plans until all the residents have moved out, as partial demolition is not an option due to utility supplies and prioritising people's safety and wellbeing.
A broken window of a house on the estate (Steve Allen)"Although we cannot comment on an individual case, we can confirm that owner occupiers have been made an offer for their property based on an independent market valuation, unfortunately these offers were refused, we will remain in contact with these residents to try to reach a solution. Our focus, over the past few months, has been rehousing Torus residents, which has taken some time. "
Most of the homes are boarded up (Steve Allen)Merseyside Police's St Helens local policing Inspector Stacey Pope added: “We take the issue of antisocial behaviour very seriously and would urge residents to report any concerns and we will take action. We continually work with local organisations and schools in the community to engage and educate children on acceptable behaviour.”