I WISH to thank MJ Payne for raising the matter of 40 West Avenue, Five Lamps junction, ("Derelict villa should be demolished or renovated," November 14) but destroying a family home is not the answer – and neither is turning it into apartments.
This five-bedroom home has stood empty and unloved for over 10 years due to neglect by the council. In 2007, the Secretary of State, no less, refused to grant permission for the council's madcap scheme when it wanted to demolish the home for a road (not a bus lane as stated).
I believe the council has dropped its plans for demolition but it wants to turn the home into four apartments, stating that parking and pollution prevent it being used as a family home.
If there is one thing that Five Lamps area is not short of, it is apartments, as can be attested to by the plethora of "to let" signs that are disfiguring the area. This area already suffers from a relatively high number of transient residents living in the numerous "rabbit hutch" apartments.
What we need are families to live here and, when restored, the council's five-bedroom house at Five Lamps would be almost perfect accommodation for a family. Families generally bring stability to an area and take pride in where they live, and they generally have fewer cars than the occupants of four apartments would have!
So yes, let us see 40 West Avenue sold off but with a covenant preventing it being turned into yet more unnecessary apartments.
I'm sure the council taxpayers can then enjoy the large lump sum of money it will receive from the sale and the long-term residents of Five Lamps can see their area improving once again.
Richard Butler
Kedleston Road
Five Lamps
Derby