Public invited to special meeting on Peterborough's St Michael's Gate estate

St Michael's Gate, Parnwell. EMN-161025-173120009

Senior members of Peterborough City Council are expected to be present at the Parnwell Community Centre, Saltersgate, from 7pm to 9pm to hear concerns from residents and answer questions.

St Michael’s Gate in Parnwell became famous two years ago when the Peterborough Telegraph revealed that 72 of the 74 households on the estate were being evicted to be replaced by homeless families.

The properties are owned by Paul Simon Magic Homes, and their managing agents are Stef & Philips.

The council agreed a three year deal worth nearly £1 million a year with Stef & Philips to lease the properties to use for its rising homeless population.

The council argued vociferously at the time that if it did not lease the properties, then another authority would have moved its homeless families into the homes, with the council liable to pay for all their costs, such as education.

The deal was hugely controversial and even today continues to draw national attention, with the BBC and ITV recently filming on the estate for programmes on its main channels.

The council recently accused the PT of frightening residents at St Michael’s Gate with its coverage, a charge which was robustly rejected by PT editor Mark Edwards.

Peterborough’s St Michael’s Gate: Crime up, lack of children’s support and families in despair two years after mass evictions - SPECIAL REPORT

Delight and despair at St Michael’s Gate during Peterborough Telegraph visit

Peterborough’s St Michael’s Gate estate up for sale