“Peter Eyre must have taken 30 minutes to write that comment. Windy bag. Mrs Rooney just wants publicity and has no intention of paying council tax whatever happens.”

“It is so sad to see how this once highly prestigious street has declined over time.
The Council must take 100% blame for its demise that goes back many years.

One must draw attention to an ill informed statement made by DCC prior to the start of this so called regeneraton programme in 2001/2.
Quote
After the Second World War these large houses were too big and costly for families to run
Unquote

Where did these words of wisdom emulate from?

Does the person who created such termology live on this planet?

Everyone knows throughout the
world that such fine Victorian style building fetch a good price and are in much demand for those having the money to enjoy the style of inner city living.

Should DCC have evaluated this aspect rather then allowed someone with no forward vision to pass such comments the street could have returned to its former glory.

In their own words
Quote
In years gone by these were the
Grand residences of the gentry
Unquote

Can one imagine just how Hartington Street could have looked by using this most valuable source of money that was donated by the EU and topped up by DCC (Tax Payers money)?

The street has been allowed to fall into total disarray with exactly the same problems that it encountered prior to the programmes initiation..why?

Because DCC have policies that date back to Jurassic Park with people behind some pens having known this era!

At the top of the street they have created a social centre and on the opposite side Trocadero Court then all the way down the street DCC have allowed these fine houses to be subdivided into HMO's that in some cases border on not meeting the required standards.

The regeneration programme was to bring social cohesion to the community but rather the opposite has occurred thanks to our illustrious council.

If one really wants to get into this so called social cohesion then maybe they should look at DCC's objective that qualified them to receive the EU funding.

!. Improve the safety and security of residents.
2. Tackle anti-social behaviour.
3. Improve the image of the area.
4. Improve housing conditions.
5. Improve environmental conditions.
6. Attract private investment to help fund improvements.

So dear taxpayers what of these objectives have DCC achieved?.......only item 6!!

Where did all this money go?

Did absentee landlords acquire vast sums of EU/Tax Payers money to improve their own investments?

"THEY CERTAINLY DID"

The article has a clear emphasis on why houses are still empty after all this money has been spent. Why one may ask?

Is it possible that some of these absentee investors own them?

I believe that some of these investors may own around 7 properties in Hartington St and could one of those still be derelict and be part of the problem highlighted in this article?

Yes!!!!

I am sure that these investors have already been inundated with vast sums that managed to stick to their well greased palms.

Why are properties still derelict? Maybe those same investors are waiting for the next round of EU money to be released....who really knows?

So what does the regeneration mean to the past and current residents of the street?

It caused good quality people and families to vacate the street as the level of ASB increased and the spent syringes caused a health hazard for children.

It allowed the street to fill up entirely with people with social problems, drug addicts, prison offenders all in very dense HMO properties....the ingredients for disaster.

I remember many many years ago that an experiment was carried out with mice in a box.
Increase the numbers and they start having social problems....put in an upstairs and the problems intensify, add more mice and they start attacking each other resulting in death.

One has to show compassion to these poor people.....they have to have a home but not in so much density.....

The council have to understand that facade ”

“Its very easy for people like Helen to blame the council. Why is it the councils fault? The area is like it is because, generally, the people who live in that area have no pride in themselves or where they live. You cannot have it all ways - you have the freedom in this country to, within reason, live as you like so when people live as they like you cannot go blaming the council or anybody else because they dont step in every time there is a perceived problem and throw money at it. No amount of money will cahnge the way people are so Hartington Street will remain the same whilst its houses are owned and lived in by the people who live there now. I am glad Shakeel wouldn't live there, he is very lucky to be in a position to choose.”

“Hartington Street was once a beautiful street with houses that were loved and well cared for. The council are to blame for its current state in more than one way. Splitting these family houses has resulted in multiple tenancies. Absent landlords cannot possibly monitor the condition of these properties properly. The houses become nothing more than an income. Local residents, that is those who make such a mess of the houses and gardens, are as much to blame as anyone else. Whatever happened to having pride in your area/home? Such a shame for Derby as a whole and for those residents who do genuinly care.”

“Alec - I dont think any one ever disputed that Ms Rooney has/had a point. The reason she has been villianised is due to her bare faced cheek in insisting on witholding her council tax at the expense of others - especially given that she has been held at Her majestys Pleasure.”

“If they are in the state as in the picture they should be served with Section 215 notices under the Town + Country Planning Act 1990(1997).”

“Maybe now people will stop seeing Mrs. Rooney as the villan of the peice and accept that she's got a point. The Council has over the years, allowed this area to deteriorate to a point where it is beyond help. Anyone who brought in Hartington Street has seen their investment eroded during this time so is it any wonder the more firey want to fight back and make a point?”

“What? No mention of Josephine Rooney?”

“There are mutliple reasons the houses are empty, here are a few;

1. The street is connected to two scummy council estates. It also full of bottom of the barrel rentral property, hence not a desireable place to live. I wouldn't live in one with neighbours like that and the only tennants you are going to get are the type of people that are the problem in the first place.

2. CREDIT CRUNCH. Most people are struggling to buy homes or even keep the homes they have, why would anyone in the right mind purchase that property in that area and try to make something of it with current economic conditions?

As far as I'm concerned as long as the properties are secured and do not allow a place for squatters and drugs users, the owners can do what they like.”