RESIDENTS whose homes will be demolished for a new £65million university have blasted “tin-pot dictators” for the decision.
Fuming locals have slammed councillors in Blackpool for the “disgusting” decision after ordering their homes to be torn down.
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Blackpool Council have given the green light for a £65 million new university campus in the centre of the Lancashire seaside resort.
Councillors have approved compulsory purchase orders for houses and shops for the campus which is due to open in three years with room for 3,000 students.
A handful of terraced streets will be torn down for the scheme.
Retired roofer Peter Harris, 66, who rents a flat in the area, said: “It’s disgusting to turf us out of our homes.
“The council are acting like tin-pot dictators by telling us to get out of our homes.
“I like living here but I’m worried where I’m going to live.
“The council have told us nothing really about what’s going to happen.”
His fellow tenant David Foster, 74, said: “Most people are angry about it.
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“The decision has just been dropped on and we haven’t been consulted. Its disgusting behaviour.”
Former chef Graham Archer, 57, said: “It’s horrible knocking down the old terraced houses.
“They are losing the art of building.
“It’s just not Blackpool putting up something ultra modern.”
Claytons jewellers has also been ordered to move despite its shop having been on Cookson Street for 60 years.
However the shop is now surrounded by seedy massage parlours.
Alex Clayton, 22, said: “I’m the third generation of my family to run the shop so it’s sad that we have to move.
“But the area has certainly changed in that time.
“It’s not all bad as we have found a new premises which has more foot fall.
“But we still did not want to move.”
However a handful of people are not happy to see the back the terraced streets.
One renter, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a nightmare at times with music blaring out and litter everywhere.
“A lot of the houses are drug dens and there are people with mental health problems.”
Retired printer John Hall, 77, said: “I’m glad it’s going.
“A lot of these houses are in a bad state of repair.
“But I know a lot of people aren’t happy especially families with kids.”
Blackpool and the Fylde College will relocate the University Centre Blackpool Campus from Park Road to the new three-acre site.
The council has pledged support to all residents who need to move out of their homes.
Council leader Lynn Williams said: “This development is game changing in terms of our plans to make Blackpool better, but we do very clearly understand the impact on people living in the properties we’re buying. We are buying their homes.
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“I want to reassure them we will continue to support any tenants or residents who have to move as a result, and nobody will be asked to move out without reasonable warning and support to find somewhere else suitable to live.
“We have also provided an advice service separate to those negotiating to buy the properties, and they are available to be contacted by any residents affected who have questions regarding the sale or support in finding a new home and this support will continue.”
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