Anger over housing U-turn
A furious councillor is to lodge a formal complaint with the Local Government Auditor in a row over a proposed housing development in south Belfast.
Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers claims that a council U-turn could leave ratepayers out-of-pocket to the tune of more than £2m.
The debate over the disposal of council-owned land at an open space at McClure Street - running between Ormeau Road and Botanic Avenue - has been raging for months.
But a decision taken in August by a council committee to accept an offer of £3.4m from a Ballyclare firm for 80pc private and 20pc social sector homes on the site has now been rescinded.
It means the tendering process, with the provision of 100pc social housing as the preferred option, will have to start all over again.
And Mr Rodgers, a former Lord Mayor, believes that such a decision is not just a bad deal for ratepayers, but could land the council in hot water.
He said: "The simple facts are that when we provisionally looked at it as a social or public sector development, the highest offer from contractors came in at around £970,000.
"When it was then proposed to seek the highest bidder for 80-20 in terms of private sector housing, the parks and cemeteries sub-committee accepted the highest bid of £3,401,000.
"At a time when the council is looking to save money, the decision to now ditch this offer is incomprehensible and brings us into disrepute, because we have a responsibility to secure the best deal for ratepayers."
He added: "I will be taking this matter to the Local Government Auditor and Ombudsman, if necessary.
"My own attempts to get a recorded vote was rejected by the principle committee - I find that strange and can only wonder what people have to hide."
The views of local communities within the area will now be sought in relation to social housing as the preferred option.
SDLP councillor Patrick Convery, who seconded the motion to rescind acceptance of the Ballyclare firm's bid, said: "I did so on the grounds that my party believes there is a great need for social housing in the area."
Source: SundayLife.co.uk (19/11/2006)
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