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Description
This programme looks at the factors which have led to a problem of vandalism on a new housing estate in Hornsey. It then examines the way in which local residents have organised as a pressure grou...p to improve their environment.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: D203, Decision making in Britain
Item code: D203; 04; 1977
First transmission date: 07-12-1976
Published: 1977
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:24:00
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Producer: Carol Haslam
Contributors: Alison Clarke; Stanley Cohen; Sydney Walker
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Community development; Housing estates; Juvenile delinquency; Vandalism
Footage description: Various views of Chettle Court Housing Estate, Hornsey, and evidence of vandalism on the estate. Mr Sydney Walker, a local resident, describes the changes that have occurred in the area over the last 30 years. He blames the decline of the area upon the influx of new people. Alison Clarke, local resident, blames the decline of the district upon the council's policy of housing problem families on the Estate. John Knightley, Community Development Officer, argues that the main problem was the large number of children in the area and the poor facilities provided for them. Sydney Walker argues that the council must cater for children when they rehouse people. John Smith, former secretary of the Residents Association, states that the initial decision to site the estate in its present position was ridiculous. Laurie Morgan, local resident, explains how the poor facilities began to cause problems, especially for the children. He describes how they formed themselves into a football team. A gang of boys talk about the need for a football pitch and the poor quality of their own team. They explain their name, the Chettle Bad Lads in terms of a response to other people's opinion of them. They argue that they are blamed for everything bad that happens in the district. Chett Hussyin, Youth Club Leader, describes how the kids are continually moved on by the police because they have nowhere to go. Shots of gangs of boys out on the street. He describes the activities that they organise for themselves and the facilities that he would like provided for them. Shots of boys playing and views of the Estate. John Knightley describes the first meetings of local residents. Opposing factions of residents wanted to blame others for the problems in the area. He attempted to reconcile these different groups. John Smith gives his view of the first public meeting. The difficulties between the groups represented were caused by an initial lack of communication. Sydney Walker explains how a simple plan for making play area was inflated by the council's planners into a £66,000 scheme. John Smith describes how the group learned from this failure that it had to present the council with fully worked-out proposals. John Knightley describes how the group made good contacts with key people and how they managed to open a play scheme within about 6 weeks of their first meeting. John Smith argues that the play scheme was successful because it harnessed the natural enthusiasm and spontaneity of the group. A second play scheme, although more organised and structured, was less successful. The group has now broken up because bureaucratic delays on the part of the council led to a fall off in interest. John Knightley describes how, following the demise of the residents group, the council, after a delay of two years, is now in a position to implement some of their suggestions for improving the Estate. Jeremy Corby, a local councillor, states that the residents lack of confidence in the council is justified as it has not lived up to its commitments. The programme now looks at the way in which the local press handled the issue of the problems on the Estate. Peter Hounam, local press reporter, describes how he built up a picture of the inadequate facilities at Chettle Court and he describes how he presented the story. Jeremy Gorbyn argues that although local residents felt the press was helpful at first, they now feel that they are becoming to be seen as a problem area. Peter Hounam argues that his story produced very little positive reaction from the local council. John Smith states that the decision-making process seems to be at fault. Jeremy Corbyn argues that simply building housing for people does not solve the community problem. The council must think in terms of long-term planning. Laurie Morgan argues that no individual is to blame for the failure of the project, the whole idea was wrong at the beginning in that it did not provide the facilities that people need.
Master spool number: 6HT/72234
Production number: 00525_2335
Videofinder number: 3399
Available to public: no