Homeowner near M5 fighting to protect Ford Fiesta Land from developers
A homeowner, whose property is under threat of demolition to pave way for 4,000 homes near the M5, fears he won't be able to afford a similar property with the compensation he's being offered. Andrew Smith, 63, whose home is off Tewkesbury Road in Uckington, has been losing sleep over the situation for months.
His three-bedroom semi-detached former council house is likely to be razed for the Elms Park development near junction 10 of the motorway. However, Mr Smith argues that Gloucestershire County Council's offer falls short of enabling him to purchase a comparable property in the area.
His property in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, is known as 'Fiesta land' due to the dozens of Ford Fiestas there. Mr Smith operates a business from his home where he collects, repairs, and sells Ford cars, earning it the nickname. There are currently 33 vehicles parked there. But his impending forced relocation has compelled him to put them up for sale.
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Mr Smith admits to experiencing unprecedented stress levels. "I can't shut down. I used to work for F1 and used to drive articulated lorries for long hours for companies who had contracts with Benetton, Prost Grand Prix and McLaren," reports Gloucestershire Live.
The Cheltonian, born and bred in Whaddon, plans to move his 88-year-old mother in with him but doubts he can do so with the funds he's being offered.
He'd sought to secure planning permission for an annexe so his mother and his late father could live with him, but faced rejection as redevelopment plans loomed. "One of the last things my father said to me was look after your mother," he shared.
"It breaks my heart and I've broken down several times. I bought this house in 2002. I didn't want to sell. This is all I've ever wanted."
"But as time has gone on... I tried to get mum and dad here. Everything I've wanted to do here. I wanted to put an annexe here but planners would never allow it because of the forthcoming Elms Park.
"I thought you know what. I'm sitting tight here until somebody makes me a sensible offer. I've got a mortgage to settle."
Mr Smith reports that Gloucestershire County Council have informed him there's no intention to demolish the homes for two years. He mentioned most of the nearby properties have been vacant for up to a decade.
His home is included in the 4,115 outline planning application for Elms Park still pending decision. "Mine is the only privately owned home along here. I'm not against progress but they need to make me a sensible offer. Persimmon and Bloor Homes approached me years ago. They wanted to purchase me."
He claims that a highways worker informed him that a roundabout or traffic calming system is planned on the spot where his house currently stands.
Mr Smith contends he should be offered more for his three-bedroom semi-detached house despite having an offer of £850,000 on the table; he points to the prime location of his 0.2-acre property.
"They've offered me £850,000. You can see the cars."
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the market alternatives, stating, "What's out there for the equivalent amount of money is just not there. They're taking the Michael."
Mr Smith insists he isn't asking for much: "I'm not selfish. They've told me my property is complicated because they can't provide me with the funds to get the equivalent or the equivalent is not out there.
He even proposed a solution, "I've even said to them, find me a plot of land. Let's agree the figure, let's take it off the house and I'll get a builder to build a bungalow there so I can care for my mum."
In response to the ongoing situation, a spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council explained that while they can't discuss specific cases, the property acquisition relates to essential roadworks. "We are currently negotiating with landowners over the purchase of their property where required to facilitate delivery of the M5 Junction 10 scheme," they said.
Justifying the need for Mr Smith's land, the spokesperson added, "In this case the land is required to enable the associated widening of the A4019 Tewkesbury Road. GCC has presented an offer to the property owner that accounts for both the valuation of the property in accordance with relevant standards and guidance and also considers relevant compensation which acknowledges the landowner's situation."
The council underscores that their compensation offer to Mr Smith takes into account both the value of his property and his personal circumstances: “GCC has presented an offer to the property owner that accounts for both the valuation of the property in accordance with relevant standards and guidance and also considers relevant compensation which acknowledges the landowner's situation. ”.
A spokesperson stated: "These negotiations are confidential, and we cannot comment further on these. As well as widening of the A4019 Tewkesbury Road the scheme proposals will see significant improvements to M5 Junction 10 and the creation of a new road linking Junction 10 to West Cheltenham.
"The scheme proposals are necessary to unlock proposed and future housing and employment growth in West and North West Cheltenham."