Residents remain on Gerards Bridge estate as Torus demolition ramps up

With plans to demolish 61 homes on the Gerards Bridge estate first touted by Torus in 2019, 78 percent of the estate highlighted support for the plans and subsequent redevelopment.

Five years later, the estate is a site of destruction. All of the social tenants have been rehomed yet two homeowners remain, unsure of what the future holds as bulldozers and diggers flatten rows of properties all around them.

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Demolition of the estate has been ramping up in recent weeks (Image: St Helens Star)
One of the remaining homeowners on the estate is Phill Campbell, who previously explained that Torus offered him £80,000 and then made a second offer of £110k for his Union Street home.

As Phill believes these offers do not meet the valuation of the three-story property, before the estate's demolition, he refused to be bought out and said no further contact was made by the housing provider for almost 12 months.

Now, as bulldozers and diggers flatten neighbouring properties, the 71-year-old pensioner said that Torus has "finally" been in touch to discuss reopening negotiations.

Rows of properties have been flattened next to Phill's home (Image: St Helens Star)
Phill, who has lived in the property for almost 20 years, said: "I had a call from Torus last Friday, as have the next-door-but-one neighbours, about sending someone to value the house and potentially make an offer.

"I've never had anyone come to value the property before so I feel this indicates that they're reopening negotiations and open to making me an improved offer.

"This is a real step forward because I had given up, in my mind they were going to demolish everything around me and I'd have to get used to it. 

"But my future is certainly not settled. I explained that I won't be accepting an offer unless it's one I'm happy with, and even if we come to an agreement, I won't be able to find a new property straight away."

The estate's residents have all been rehomed except for Phill and his next-door-but-one neighbour (Image: St Helens Star)
As question marks have lingered over his future for several years, Phill admitted that he is on medication to cope with anxiety and has to get out of the house to "get away" from the noise and destruction.

With two empty neighbouring properties adding to concerns about energy bills, he also said that his physical health has suffered as the house has been freezing during the winter months.

The pensioner relayed further concerns about paying for necessary house jobs or upgrades if the property is to be demolished.

Torus are redeveloping the site due to a loss of revenue and anti-social behaviour issues (Image: St Helens Star)
Phill, who grew up in St Helens but moved down to Cornwall for several years, added: "[The situation] has been really bad over the years, and it feels like drip by drip, they [Torus] are wearing me out.

"I have to get out and get away from it all, and I spend a lot of my time in libraries, leisure centres, or outdoors, and it feels like [Torus] has dismantled my life, bit by bit.

"I don't have any family left in St Helens and I've never asked for an obscene amount of money, I just want a fair valuation or a like-for-like price for a similar property."

Phill said he will leave the estate for the right price (Image: St Helens Star)
Although plans to redevelop the Gerards Bridge estate have been going on for several years, Phill said he was told that there are "no immediate plans" to rebuild the estate as new developments have not yet been agreed.

Torus confirmed that it is "still reviewing the best options available" for the future of the estate, with the reason for demolition previously explained due to a "loss of revenue" and "high anti-social behaviour issues" on the estate.

The housing provider also confirmed that it is open to negotiations with the remaining homeowners on the estate as demolition works continue.

There are no current plans agreed to replace the demolished homes (Image: St Helens Star)
A spokesperson for Torus said: “We can confirm that every effort is being made with the remaining owner-occupiers to reach a reasonable agreement to purchase their properties.  We continue to work with the independent valuers and discussions remain ongoing.

“Torus remains fully committed to the regeneration of the areas and we understand the length of time this is taking has been frustrating for residents. 

"Unfortunately, as we are sure people appreciate, large-scale redevelopment projects like this are sadly not quick or simple to complete.

“In regards to the future of the site, Torus Developments are still reviewing the best options available and as soon as plans are agreed they will be shared.”