Where have all the houses gone?
compiled by Rob Smith, Mark Lankshear and Lisa Swift

With houses suddenly selling for more than £100,000 and only 31 empty Council properties in Burngreave, its not only the residents of Woodside who are struggling to find homes in the area.

500 Council homes gone
Over the last three years 430 bedsits, flats and maisonettes have been demolished on Woodside, Neville Drive, Earl Marshal and Catherine Street with 65 houses also going on Woodside. The majority of remaining Council properties in Burngreave are occupied, with only 31 vacant, some of which are under repair.

Remaining Council Properties

• 509 Houses
• 400 Maisonettes
• 140 Bungalows
• 1,220 Flats

Approximate figures supplied by Jean Burley, Burngreave Housing Office.

Jean told the Messenger:

“There was no demand for the demolished flats and maisonettes only suitable for single people. This leads to empty properties, which doesn’t add to the appearance of the estate. Problems increase until large numbers become empty.”

“Demand has increased for 2–3 bedroom houses, but this is probably because of recent demolitions. The situation is healthy, with most of Burngreave’s Council properties occupied. The turnover in Burngreave is very high – we want to encourage people to stay by improving the remaining properties.”

Jean also suggested that people’s aspirations are rising, and most people want a house rather than a flat for their family. Maybe the answer is to build affordable houses on the Woodside hill.