British Waterways gives reprieve

Published: Thursday, 03 March 2011

A COUPLE facing eviction from their home have been given a six months reprieve by British Waterways, Alan Tilbury reveals.

An eviction was set for 1st April, from the house by the side of the Caledonion Canal, but such was the outcry at the attempt to evict John and Laurence Northcote out of the rented cottage, that British Waterways backed down, extending the stay until 25th August.

In excess

Albyn Housing Association, wanted to buy the two bedroomed cottage and refurbish it, but British Waterway wants £130,000 for the property, which is in excess of what the association is willing to pay, as it  needs about £87,000 worth of refurbishment work.

John Northcote has lived in the cottage for 16 years, and hoped that the housing association could have worked out a price with British Waterways, with a spokesman commenting on the extension of the tenancy:

"After assessing the current housing market, we have decided that the best value would not be achieved for the property at this point. As a result, the organisation has offered the current tenants the opportunity to continue the existing short assured tenancy."