So in 2009 Leeds City Council decided to 'regenerate' my street. They began the process of purchasing the houses opposite to the row I live on, and the houses in the next street.
This little blog is about what it’s like to live amongst derelict houses in a neglected street under a ConDem Govt and a Labour Council . . I hope you find it interesting and illuminating.
I live in South Leeds and have done for over 7 years.
After watching the houses opposite me empty and fall into dereliction, I was initially full of hope for better housing and improved living standards; my hope is now turning to disappointment. I wanted to create a place online where I could share my experiences of living in what seems to me at least, to be a dying street. This blog is entirely about my personal experiences and feelings, and is in no way represents my employer or any other organsiation.
This is the view from my window now. It looks as though the demolition is continuing. I did think these houses would be refurbished but a couple of weeks ago the last residents left and on Monday the diggers moved in.
On the upside it's really opening up the view (of the derelict Kwick Save), hopefully this means more sun in the summer. It is a shame that we couldn't get more houses refurbised and back into use. And I did think that more open space would mean less fly tipping as it would be easier to spot the scum bags that do it, but it just continues to get worse and no one seems to care.
Apologies for the quality of the photos, there used to be 4 houses here and soon a lovely view of the arse end of Dewsbury Road.
plumes of dust, all very apocolyptic.
bye bye
the landscape begins to open up.
More digger action
same thing, different picture.
A huge plume of black dust!! I believe these houses used soot to help build the internal lath and plaster walls so it's being released back into the atmosphere in what is no doubt a large carcegenic/asthma enducing cloud!
but no derelict houses, well there are, but in the distance . . . sort of . . .
The houses in the background should be getting refurbished over the next few months.
The demolition is done for now. Hopefully I'll get more sun in the afternoon, when it starts emitting some springtime warmth that is.
So it's goodbye derelict houses, it all looks so much better, though perhaps that's because I didn't include the recently fly tipped fridge and all it's rotting contents that someone dumped half on the newly cleared ground and half on the pavement, nice.
(Not sure why the pics are so odd looking, I uploaded them from my phone. Will try and replace with better quality ones later)
I know I’ve not posted for a while, I’m sure you’re all
bereft. But I’ve entered final year Masters hell and only have thoughts of
essays (yeaugh). However, some thoughts are better expressed than left to
simmer so as my silence doesn’t mean that all has been quiet in my neck of the
woods, I’ll update you. I’ve got new neighbours, who so far are behaving
themselves. Demolition seems to have ground to a halt, which is disappointing
and also having ripple like impacts on the occupied houses. (See update further down)
Fly tipping is increasing as is anti social behaviour. I’ll
give you a recent lovely example. About 6 weeks (maybe 8 weeks) ago I heard
fish wife like shrieking out in the street. As I may have previously mentioned
I’m not adverse to people enjoying themselves within reason just don’t be inconsiderate and disgusting. A
number of 'young ladies' were charging about the street, obviously under the
influence and enjoying each other’s company. Now why they couldn’t do this
inside is beyond me, but there you are I’m not pissed off my tits on cheap
alcohol in the middle of my street on a Friday night, what would I know?
I had a weekend of studying ahead and wanted to be in bed at
a reasonable time so I could get cracking on Saturday. As I went to bed I
looked out of my bedroom window to see one of them dropping her
leggings/tracksuit bottoms, whatever they were, in the middle of the street and
screaming. They could barely stand so they obviously couldn’t make it all the
way inside to alleviate their bladder discomfort. Pissing, or worse in the
street is apparently hilarious, judging by their harpy like cackling, so I went
down stairs opened my front door and said, “Alright ladies? Do you think it’s
about time to turn the volume down now?”
“Of course!” they replied and promptly pulled up their
knickers and popped back inside . . . . .
No they bloody well didn’t.
“Aaaargggeeehhhhhhhhwwwaarrrrggghhh it’s FFFFFFrrriiiiiiiiiiddaaaaayyyy........foookin
Friday . . . . arrgh” and repeat at
volume in your best pissed fat slag voice. So I asked again, nicely.
I’m not a confrontational person so I also explained that I’d
asked them nicely and what they decided to do next would inform whether I made
an official call or not. And off I popped back inside.
Things were quiet for 5 or 10 minutes, so I looked back out
of my window to see one of the Cheltenham Ladies College Graduates copping a
bare bottomed squat just by my gate and another thrusting her pasty arm through
my gate to knock over my rose bushes. So I called the police.
Little shits. They’ve been quiet since then.
As well as an insight into the intellectual pursuits of
teenagers on cider, curious things are afoot in my front yard. I’ve lived here
for years and never had anyone interfere with my foliage before, so I was very
upset when not long after the last community group meeting I woke up to find
some of my plant pots smashed and kicked over, beer bottles broken on the ground and plants
ripped up. Obviously this was the work of a drunken arsehole, so I swept it up
and put it down to experience.
Not long after that, there was a repeat performance. More
plants ripped up, pots moved and disturbed and pushed over. And again, shortly
after that incident I left my house one morning to find my doorway blocked by
all of my plant pots piled up against my front door. As I’m sure you can
imagine my sides were just splitting with good natured humour. Oh what amusing
scamps these little visitors were, I hope they don’t accidentally fall down my
cellar well and hurt themselves, or accidentally pick up one of the cat turds I
have to regularly remove from my greenery . . .sigh. I did report it to the police,
but realistically I don’t expect them to prioritise the phantom gardener of old
Beeston town, who has returned again, this time to create a pyramid of plant pots on my doorstep.
Anyway, I suspect the Mensa members from the street peeing
incident might have something to do with the less creative activity in my front
yard, given that I caught them red-handed and bare arsed interfering with my shrubbery.
And since I started this post just before New Year and am
finishing it half way through January I am happy to say that the demolition is off and running again. Right
opposite me in fact! I managed to film a bit, so if I can manage to embed a
video I will show you the last moments of a back to back terrace. I was very
impressed with the demolition guys, and now desperately want a digger. It was
quite brutal and a bit like watching Godzilla destroy a building; there’s
something quite anthropomorphic about diggers and how they move, I think it’s the
teeth on the bucket (or whatever it’s called). If someone could Photoshop some googly eyes on the digger I'd appreciate it.
Going . . . .
. . . .going . . . .
. . . going . .
GONE!!!!!!!! Apologies for the weird reflections on the windows, I filmed these from inside as it was very dusty and cold outside
The latest community meeting has come and gone, and for the
most part it was great. One of the best turnouts we’ve had, so no need for me
to stomp off in a self righteous sulk. We’ve also had notice that demolition
will begin in a couple of weeks so I’ve taken a few pictures to start charting
progress. Also giant house spiders have started invading my house, but that’s
not really relevant I just wanted to share.
However we had representatives from the police, Leeds City
Council and housing associations so all in all there were nearly 20 people
present. Some were a little disruptive, but I fully appreciate that they felt
frustrated at how things have been delayed. Though I don’t want to invalidate
anyone’s anxieties, and I agree that the community meeting is a good place to raise
your issues, share your problems and express your frustration, criminal
activity has to be formally reported to the police for it to be tackled. I also
appreciate that regular foot patrols reassure residents, but unless the cops
actually happen upon someone doing something criminal as they walk by, then
they’re mostly just a PR exercise. My eyesight’s pretty shoddy, but even I can
see a high visibility vest mooching up the street towards me, and I suspect
that your average neighbourhood scrote can do the same.
preparing for demolition
Crime needs to be formally reported, if you’re seeing it and
not reporting it you are not helping to resolve it. I also understand that fear
of retaliation stops people, but I’ve filmed people nicking metal railings, stood
up in court to give evidence, given statements to the police, kept noise
diaries, rung the police and gone into the street to challenge antisocial and
criminal behaviour; I’m not brave, quite the opposite, but when pushed I can
stand up for myself, sort of, and I’ve yet to be threatened with any
retaliation.
Residents it seems have also been doing some good stuff,
tidying up the streets which are quite frankly looking like shit at the moment.
It’s not gone unnoticed and people are very grateful. Also someone’s dumped some lovely asbestos in
one of the bin yards, which has hopefully been removed by now. Also alarmingly
enough, there is asbestos in some of the houses that are going to be
demolished, so let’s hope the HASMAT suits are broken out for that portion of
the demolition.
what the streets near me might have looked like when they were built
It’s also been highlighted that it is unlikely that a developer will want to buy or develop the land, as it’s not been fully cleared and some of the properties will remain. But for me demolition is still the sensible thing to do, derelict property is not acceptable on a large scale as anything other than a short term situation.
Well that’s it for now, I’ve added some images here and on the pictures page, and I’ll keep adding as the demolition progresses, so if you’re interested keep your eyes peeled.
Half of my street is being prepared for demolition
After a very quiet couple of months with very little happening, hence the lack of posts recently, I've received two letters in as many weeks from the Leeds City Council.
The first politely informing me that I would be fined if I left my bin out on the street after bin day, as apparently this is becoming a huge problem in our little community. The second telling me that any remaining metal work left in the binyards attached to the remaining empty homes would be removed to stop our area being targeted by thieves.
Now I don’t like to be snippy but hang on a minute let’s just take a small step back. I’m going to address the second letter first. As someone who actually videoed the last gate on my street being nicked from a bin yard over the road from me about 11 months ago, I would suggest that this is a little like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.
Reasons of safety, crime prevention and recycling are quoted as being the main drivers for finally removing the few remaining bits of metalwork, though I would have thought that the collapsed walls that block the pavement and are just ripe for a small child to be trapped under would be as much of a motivation. Also removing the metal work whilst most of it still remained would have made better economic sense, but hey ho hindsight is a marvellous thing.
wall kicked over to remove metal work
And my little snipe about the bins being left out on the street, I’ll admit it winds me right up too as I always bring my bins back in but come on . . . . when this
A room with a view.
is the view from my house, and has been for over a year I’m not sure Leeds City Council are in any position to make demands about abandoned bins. A couple of them have been slung into the road of late, either by stormy weather (Lovely British summer) or by what the press would more recently refer to as yobs, I would call them bastards or little shits.
This for me raises the issue of blanket warnings, like those incredibly insulting messages about pirating films at the beginning of legitimately bought dvds that you can’t fast forward through. It’s like buying a bus ticket and being slapped in the face by the driver, just in case you decide not to buy one next time. I don’t leave my bin out all the time (sometimes when I’ve been away on holiday or for work I’ve had no option if I’ve wanted my bin collected, or I don’t put it out at all). I’m probably overreacting and I do understand that it’s better to give people a warning before you go in guns blazing, but it still puts my back up.
I strongly suspect that some of these bins belong to the now derelict houses on the other side of the street, houses that belong to Leeds City Council. And yes it is annoying to have to step out onto the street to walk around someone’s pizza box stuffed wheelie bin that resides permanently on the pavement, but is it any less annoying than jumping up to your window every time an unfamiliar noise rings out down the street and your first conclusion is that it’s yet another scrote in a hoody kicking the door in of a derelict house on your street.
At least the bin yards seem to have been cleared of any recent fly tipping – the standard mattress appeared a couple of weeks ago on a parallel street, but at least the massive plastic jug of cooking oil that the kids were playing with in the street a couple of weeks ago seems to have been dealt with by what I can only assume was a biohazard team. Anyway, rant over for now. I’m trying to organise another community meeting for late August early September so we’ll see what news there is on the demolition front. It can’t come soon enough for me.
Last year I really enjoyed the Beeston Festival and had an absolutely clear intention to go this year and contribute by baking a cake or just buying something from one of the lovely food stalls. However, as so often happens real life gets in the way – bloody real life.
I am currently in the midst of completing an assignment for a Masters course, which is proving a lot more difficult than I had intended, and writing this post is proving to be a welcome respite from writing about pedagogical rationales and reflective and collaborative learning.
After initially finding it difficult to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard, it is 2011 after all) I now find that I have to cut 1000 words from my assignment.
So what happens to the best laid plans of mice and men? In the face of the above I completely forgot about the festival, about baking a cake (I love baking) and enjoying a bit of interaction with the fellow members of the South Leeds Massive and I am gutted and very cross with myself for being such a knob. I saw a banner advertising it and thought “oh I must go”, and then realised that it had taken place the day before, curses!
I’ve missed the hottest day of the year sitting at my laptop, grrrrr, and have become a virtual recluse in the last three to four weeks (I really don’t remember my last assignment being this difficult), barely leaving the house not even for beer and disco.
I have taken a fair bit of time off work however to write, so it’s been interesting to be at home during the week and seeing what occurs in our little derelict corner of the world. As predicted in other posts the summer weather, disappointing as it has been, has brought out the evening socialites of South Leeds. It’s the South Leeds Summer Lullaby – blaring music is short bursts (just long enough to pop outside and have a nice fag) and shouting to the person standing less than 2 feet away from you . . . . aahhhh, how lovely; squealing car tyres, screeching breaks and revving engines and yes the ever present bass-heavy throb of dub step.
Yesterday was Father’s day though I did manage to get a card, my Dad’s present didn’t arrive until today and I’ll be honest I didn’t really make a big fuss of him which is not great is it? So confessions and whingeing out of the way it’s back to work on my assignment and to wrap my dad’s belated pressie.
Hopefully I’ll have something interesting to report next time.
I live on a street in South Leeds made up of back to back terraced houses all about 100 years old.
I have lived there for about 7 years. As a private owner occupier I have often found it a challenge to feel fully settled in a landscape with such a transient population and as a result I think the community I live in does not always gel as well as it could.
Just over a year ago I received notification from Leeds City Council that the two rows of houses opposite mine would be purchased and demolished to make way for new housing. After the initial shock I began to see the positives; better housing, increased property values, a more permanent population etc, this could only be a good thing right?
With the support of Leeds City Council we began to form a community group and as a group we began to envision what our new environment might look like and how we might be able to influence its progress and development; initial shock turning to a general sense of hopefulness and welcoming positive change.
Progress has been slow though this I’m told is not unusual; membership of the community group is relatively low and not necessarily representative of the whole community who are more often than not tenants either in social housing or via private landlords, rather than owner occupiers. We’ve probably met about 6 or 7 times over the last year and a half but with the changing economic and political climate since the 2010 election, things do not look hopeful.
As the houses opposite me have been purchased for demolition the surrounding area has taken on an air or abandonment and dereliction. The view from my window and my daily walk home from work gives me charming scenes of bin yards full of dumped rubbish, boarded up houses, vandalised doors and windows that all contribute to the sense of neglect that envelops my street. The long winter nights have not improved this.
I used to drive past places like this and think, ‘thank goodness I don’t live there’, but now I do and it’s not a happy realisation. So what’s this blog all about?
Feeling isolated and a bit abandoned, but generally I hope being a positive person I want to record is what it’s like to live amongst this general atmosphere of neglect and decline and draw attention to the real impact of Government cuts on already disadvantaged communities. What I hope will come through is that we can still impact upon decisions that affect our every day lives and to track and document a living example of Prime Minister Cameron’s Big Society. Also I might post the odd amusing story about live in South Leeds in general. Wish me luck, I think I might need it.
