Salford tower block neighbours hit back at claim they…

Salford tower block neighbours hit back at claim they have 'no right to a view of the moors'

Neighbours of new planned apartment blocks in Salford have slammed the developer for insisting they have 'no right to a view'. Residents of Beech Court, Pendleton, have told of their view over the comments about the high-rise tower blocks that will replace the nearby bingo hall.

Locals have called for the blocks to be a maximum of four storeys high. They said in letter that residents on the fourth floor and above of Beech Court currently have views of Buile Hill Park, Winter Hill and the moors and the development would take away "that sense of space that has been really helpful, particularly to people suffering from mental health issues".

However, an officer's wrote in reply that "unfortunately, no one has a 'right' to a view." One resident, who has lived in Beech Court for 25 years, said: "They've got no right saying that, that's terrible, I think that's getting a bit like dictatorship.

"I knew that they were coming around 12 months ago when they were first proposed. I live on the ground floor, but it's out of order, I didn't like that at all, of course we have every right."

Another resident said: "They want to try living here. It's bad enough we had to deal with the cladding and now I'm going to have to deal with that going up. I live on the seventh floor so I'm gonna be head on with it."

Plans for the development show 268 homes in three blocks from six to nine storeys high which would include 117 one-bedroom apartments, 137 with two beds, 10 with three beds and four three-bed maisonettes. The building must accommodate between 54 and 94 affordable housing units.

The developer is also being asked to contribute £837,446 towards public open space in the area, and a further £385,550 towards public realm. One resident spoke to the MEN about the mental health affects 'losing sunlight' due to the development could have. They said: "I mean, we have a right to sunlight. People's mental health in that part of the high-rise is going to rise.

Another neighbour added "I'm not happy about it (the development), but there's a crass shortage of housing, it's terrible. There's thousands and thousands on the waiting list and what makes it appealing for the council is that there will be some affordable housing."

One resident, who backed the project, said: "I'm for the housing because as you can see there is a crisis at this moment. "People need homes, but I think saying residents don't have a right a view probably aggravated a few people and that wasn't wise."

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