Ravenscliffe flats 'have been a disaster zone’ (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Eccleshill councillors complain of neglect of buildings to be demolished

7:50am Saturday 4th September 2010 in Ravenscliffe By Hannah Baker

Councillor Geoff Reid outside Oakdale Flats in Ravenscliffe

Councillors say a block of flats on a Bradford estate earmarked for demolition is an “object lesson” in how not to run social housing.

Yorkshire Housing Association has said it wants to pull down Oakdale Flats on the corner of Ravenscliffe Avenue and Oakdale Drive, Ravenscliffe.

But Councillor Ann Wallace (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) has accused the association of not doing enough to stop the one-bedroom flats falling into disrepair after some residents moved out several years ago.

She said: “There are six people still living there. Someone broke in and started a fire in one of the flats underneath where someone was living. Kids have also been climbing on to the roof and stealing copper and removing slates.

“We have complained and complained but nobody’s given us any information about what’s going on. Money should have been spent on them years ago. They could have converted them into two-bedroom properties. Nothing’s been done and it’s gone to decay.”

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “These flats are only about 30 years old. They were built after the rest of the Ravenscliffe estate. They are structurally sound but they have picked up a lot of dampness.”

Councillor Carol Beardmore (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “These flats have been a disaster zone for most of this year. They have been allowed to fall into serious disrepair and in the end half a dozen upstairs tenants have been left living above insecure properties. Meanwhile residents in neighbouring bungalows have complained about debris in the car parks bringing the area into disrepute and threatening property values.

“It is sad that these flats are having to be demolished after a relatively short life. I hope that these events will encourage other social housing providers to maintain proper standards and a decent environment for tenants.”

In response, Celia Cashman, housing services director at Yorkshire Housing, said: “We are also very concerned about the condition of this site, which is a poor design and requires extensive investment. We are actively working with other agencies to find an appropriate solution that will benefit the residents of the area long term.”

Nadhia Khan, its head of housing services, added: “We have four tenants remaining in these properties. Two tenants have already been relocated and will be moving into their new homes soon. Our housing officers are working closely with the remaining tenants to find suitable alternative homes in the area as soon as possible. Additional security measures are being introduced to support the remaining tenants.”