But anyway – I would be interested to see the numbers of single teenage mothers occupying social homes in Salford. I would guess that it’s a lot lower than you would think. Teenage pregnancies (which is defined as the mother being under 18) in the UK have, on average, decreased over the past five or so years. And I do believe (though willing to be corrected) that being a single teenage mum doesn’t automatically lead to a council house anymore – it’s on the basis of need, and on it’s own, being a teenage mother doesn’t put you on the top of the list.

Bearing heavily in mind that Rachel isn’t a BNP member or supporter (and not wishing to tar anyone with that particular brush unless they actually are) there simply isn’t much evidence to support that immigrants are swamping Salford or are putting too much pressure on local housing stocks.

Salford is an dispersal area for Asylum Seekers, this is true, but there are only around 300 asylum seekers resident in Salford (according to Salford Council) – and these are just individual asylum seekers, many of them will be in family units. Their housing needs are met predomiantly by private sector landlords and are funded by NASS, which is central government. And a lot of the properties rented by NASS for asylum seekers are of a very low quality and are often rented to NASS because the landlord can’t find any other tenant – having seen some of this accomodation for myself, I can understand why. It’s often of a terribly poor quality.

In terms of inward migration to Salford directly – apart from students, there isn’t much inward migration to Salford from other parts of the UK, let alone outside of it. Salford is still very, very white – the 2001 Census reported that Salford had 207,746 residents who described their ethnic origin as white, the next largest was Indian at 1,196 (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00br.asp). Now I can accept that there might have been an increase in the ethnic diversity of Salford since 2001, but it would have required a seismic change to make a difference.

What is putting housing stocks under pressure is the lack of afforable housing for anyone – whether it be for sale or for rent. I had the opportunity to flick through the Salford Advertiser a few weeks ago, and even though house prices have dropped through the floor, a 1 bed “apartment” in Broughton cost around £190,000 – you would need to earn £40,000 per year to be able to afford that! And, of course, the bar on councils replensishing stock sold to tenants under the right to buy is also a major contributing factor to the lack of affordable housing.

Of course, there are other things which can be done – raising the minimum wage to £7 per hour would be a good idea – but the main thing, I can see, is to ensure that affordable housing can be provided for all – no matter your background.

As opposed as I am to any development of green belt land, it is an inescapable fact that the area will need new housing. However, I believe there are enough broken down trading estates and waste land in this area which can be put to use and converted to housing estates without the need to ruin what little green land we have left. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can find one or more alternative sites to the proposed one. Sadly, Politicians rarely have common sense and are more inclined to support or fight causes which will move them up the next rung on the political ladder.

Lastly, I am most definitely not a BNP voter and I take great offence at this… ‘You only have to talk to the average BNP voter to realise that there is a perception that “they” (insert oppressed minority here) are “taking over all the housing” and that there is nothing left for “local people”’…. I believe that this is one of the major causes of lack of housing alongside teenage single mothers but having this opinion does not make me a racist BNP voter, I am simply realistic.

Standfield Centre, Boothstown, Friday 20th November, 1.30pm-4pm
Netto, Little Hulton, Saturday 21st November, 9.30am-12.30pm
Worsley Village Library, Saturday 28th November, 10am-12.30pm
Walkden Gateway Centre, Wednesday 2nd December, 2pm-7pm
Little Hulton Library, Friday 4th December, 2pm-5pm

In addition the Core Strategy will be discussed at the Walkden & Little Hulton Community Committee meeting on Monday 30th November. This month’s meeting is held at James Brindley Primary School and starts at 6pm. I understand the item will also be discussed at the Worsley & Boothstown Community Committee but I don’t have that information to hand just at the moment – will post when I do.

The area has plenty of empty accomodation and areas that need redevelopment before using this space.

What we need is a more sustainable housing strategy focusing on building good quality (and affordable) housing – houses, not apartments – across the City.”

There will be a need for apartments – affordable apartments, though – and 24,500 does sound a bit high. But since couples are starting families a lot later than they used to, but wanting their independence and moving out earlier (i.e. cohabiting), there is a need for some. But £190k for a one bed apartment is obscene and really should be outlawed for managing the feat of being both profiteering and a monsterous waste at the same time.

Otherwise, I think we’re in agreement. Do you still think that 30k houses across Salford over a 20 year period is still daft, Iain?

What we need is a more sustainable housing strategy focusing on building good quality (and affordable) housing – houses, not apartments – across the City.

I see that you do not answer my question but instead put another.

Well your answer is this FOWS have a great allie in Barbara Keeley(introduced to FOWS by myself)

Our Labour MP is working hard for FOWS bringing together Northern RAil/Networkrail/and transport ministers pushing
for all aspirations of FOWS and the general public who use the station(even the Torie voting constituents)

It was quite amusing to see you using FOWS meeting to lobby for Torie votes of Newearth road residents with scare tactics of new homes (but not around here).

The traintram along the Atherton Line was highlighted to Neil when it was first mentioned in the GMPTE material almost 2 years ago.

I will continue to lobby my Labour MP for continued support
and will also speak to the Walkden North Councillors to gain
support.