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Almhouses
I wish to take issue with the reporting by Emily Allen of the status of the wall behind the almshouses in Mill Street, Wantage (Page 1, Wantage and Grove Herald, April 24).
Twenty-five years ago, the Vale of the White Horse District Council, at the request of the Wantage Town Land Governors, put up scaffolding to the wall. There was no consultation with the residents of Vicar's Row.
For ten years, the residents of Vicar's Row were threatened by the VWHDC for maintenance of the scaffolding including a bailiff summons. During this time, the residents of Vicar's Row have spent some £5,000 in barrister and associated fees to establish that the wall is a party wall, ie belonged to both the residents of Vicar's Row and the WTLG.
Eventually, jointly summoned by the VWHDC, the WTLG agreed to negotiations and a dialogue with the surveyor Mr Bannister has resulted in vigorous tests on the wall, numerous in-place movement detectors and structural measurements.
This has established the best route forward and also the continuing stability status of the wall. A pilot anchor project has been completed and a detailed costing and proposed rollout plan set up. This includes restructure of garden sheds and landscaping of the gardens.
The approximate total cost is £130,000 and the residents of Vicar's Row are pleased to note, as reported by Emily, that David Castle, on behalf of the WTLG, has agreed to 'foot the bill', as this means that the £50,000 that the residents of Vicar's Row, who are also pensioners, have put aside to cover their contribution will no longer be necessary.
As ever, it would be useful to obtain a few relevant facts before publishing an article as sensational as that printed.
Chris Coles
Vicar's Row house owner and
perpetual contributor
to The Wall fund
1:52pm Tuesday 6th May 2008
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