An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ on the housing crisis facing many local authorities in the Northeast. In his filmed report presenter Ian Breach travels the region visiting council housing estates plagued by poor quality design and construction and made worse by vandalism and derelictions. He speaks with both residents and council officials about these problems and looks for solution which are found both in Jarrow with the Queen Road estate and in...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ on the housing crisis facing many local authorities in the Northeast. In his filmed report presenter Ian Breach travels the region visiting council housing estates plagued by poor quality design and construction and made worse by vandalism and derelictions. He speaks with both residents and council officials about these problems and looks for solution which are found both in Jarrow with the Queen Road estate and in Glasgow where Ian visits to learned more about it housing co-operative scheme which, if it succeeds, could be an answer the Northeast is looking for. Title: Tyne Tees Briefing On South Tyneside presenter Ian Breach stands and watches as a bulldozer demolishes a row of system built prefabricated reinforced concrete council houses that were unfit for human habitation. Sitting at his desk Leslie Berry Gateshead Borough Architect 1958-1974 explains the reason why so many of these poor-quality homes were built following Second Word War was because of slum clearances. Alan Marshall from the Northern Consortium of Housing Authorities explains that 20,00 system-built houses have already been identified another 10,000 still waiting to be uncovered. As he explains the challenges of identifying these types of property a montage of a council estate of three-story flats. As Alan provides more details on the types of testing that needs to be carried out on these properties, a section of reinforced concrete crumbles when it is hit by a hammer. A montage follows of other reinforced concrete sections in a property showing signs of decay with Alan talking about the huge costs being spend just on the identification of the problem. From an elevated position traffic moves along a dual carriageway that passes through the high-rise high-density estate of St Cuthbert’s in Gateshead. Walking through the estate, Ian Breach speaks with resident Mick Welton about some of the issues facing those living there. He complains of insecure systems on the front doors, dampness in the houses and the lack of repairs being done alongside the issue of a long waiting list to get them done. Over a montage of children on the village estate Mick explains that there currently aren’t any provisions for them. He believes that most residents thinks that no one cares about them and that they are stuck there. Overlooking the estate Councillor Paul Tinnion Chairman of Gateshead Housing Committee explains to Ian Breach what is being done to put things right such as investing money in improving the environment. As he explains how the council have marketed the flats for a higher level of occupancy a poster from said campaign. He now believes more radical action is needed to be taken to thin out the density of flats, however this is reliant of funds to be provided by central government. From an elevated position the West End of Newcastle in the distance featuring several large high-rise apartment blocks. Connie Scott from the Loadman Street Residents Association provides a long list of structural issues facing residents living on the estate which was only completed 10-years previous. As she speaks about the poor design of the estate a montage of streets, alleyways, and houses many showing signs of dereliction and damage. Councillor High White Chairman of Newcastle Housing Committee explains that the Loadman Estate is an example of modern building methods and designs not really fitting the needs of the public. He goes onto talk about the cities ‘big dilemma’ about what funding is needed to remedy the issues on this estate that is only 10 years old alongside the money that needs to be spend on housing that is forty to fifty years old. Connie Scott explains she want the council to spend the money and change the estate and make it a pleasant place to live. On Middlesbrough’s Brambles Farm estate cars speed along Longland Road passing several high-rise apartment blocks. In the entrance way of one of the building ceiling tiles missing and signs of dereliction and vandalism. Inside Ian Breach speaks with two of the residents about the issues of living there especially with regards security and vandalism. Outside Bernard Williams Chief Housing Officer for Middlesbrough explains why these flats were originally built and why the council made the decision not to demolish them but rather renovate and improve one of the blocks, Portland House. He also provides details of a special advertising campaign to encourage mature families to move into a Longlands flat. A woman walks into Portland House, in the renovated reception area three older residents sit on sofas surrounded by potted plants. Watching over them a CCTV camera and outside a new fence surrounding the building. Ian asks some of these new residents if they think it was worth the money spent on it. Two older women think it is wonderful and talk about the facilities available and the cleanliness of the building. A montage of photographs showing the vandalised and derelict 1960s council flats on the Queens Road estate in Jarrow. Charles Bates Assistant Director of Housing on South Tyneside provides details of what the estate was like before work was done on it. A recently built community hall on the estate constructed at the request of resident’s changes to a row of houses being renovated and some of the blocks of flats which have also been retained and refurbished. As Charles Bates provides details of some of the work carried out to make the estate a more desirable place to live a montage of renovated houses with gardens and open areas featuring trees recently planted. On Saxon Way a former block of flats converted into a row of terraced houses. A woman living on the estate talks about what it was like to live there before the renovation work compared to what it is like now, as she talks children playing in the street. In his office Ian Breach asks Charles Bates why he didn’t get it right in the first built in the 1960s? He puts the problem down to central government insisting that they build as many houses, on the smallest area of land and for the cheapest costs as possible. He now sees that cutting costs initially just means needing to spend more money later on. A phantom car ride through the new Queen’s Road estate, in voiceover Ian Breach explains that while the government showcases the estate as a blueprint for other council, the cost of £4.5 million is more than any council can currently afford. Title: End of Part One Part Two From an elevated position the city of Glasgow described as having the worst housing crisis on Europe. In the distance an estate of high-rise apartment blocks which, according to Ian Breach, counts for two-thirds of the city’s 180,000 housing stock with more than half in need of major repairs at an estimated costs of £150 million. With Ian Breach providing details on tenant co-operatives, a possible solution Glasgow housing crisis, from the roof of a block of high-rise flats dogs running about around its base. In his office Paul Mugainoni Director of Housing for Glasgow explains how the plan works with the tenants in effect buying their council properties from them and taking over responsibility for managing their area. The Glasgow City Chambers on George Square with a poster or banner on a wall featuring a character from the children’s book series ‘Mr Men’ and the catchphrase ‘Glasgow’s Miles Better’. The film changes to derelict blocks of three-story flats on the Ballantai estate to the south of the city and two residents explaining to Ian Breach why they support the co-operative as it would make the area a neighbourhood again with a community spirit. A street of semi-detached council houses in the Broomhouse estate. Inside one of the properties members of the local tenant associations talks about become part of the new co-operative and the fresh challenges this brings of become their own landlords. In his office Councillor Jim McLean Chairman of Glasgow Housing Committee doesn’t believe handing over deprived areas to private developers is the answer to the city’s housing problems. He believes the responsibility for these estates can be passed to residents who knows best what works for them as a community. Standing outside Glasgow City Chambers Ian Breach talks about this compromise scheme. On a deserted Ballantai street two security guards on patrol. Over a montage of vandalised and derelict properties on the estate, Ian Breach in voiceover explains that without money traditional housing policy can’t work, but is this housing co-operative in Glasgow a solution and would it work in the Northeast? Paul Mugainoni believes it could work in any local authority area. The film ends on one of the Broomhouse residents who can see the areas being a lovely place to live once the modernisation has happened. Back in the Tyne Tees studio Ian Breach lead a discussion on the issues raised on the programme with Councillor Bernard Newbold Chairman Housing Committee North Tyneside Borough Council, Councillor Lawrence Wild Conservative Group Leader of Stockton Borough Council, Dr David Clark Labour MP for South Shields and Richard Holt Conservative MP for Langbaurgh. Ian Breach brings the discussion to a close and ends the programme by looking forward to the next edition. Credit: Ian Breach Film Camera Dave Dixon Film Sound Bob Rhodes Research Harvey Woolfe Political Editor John Sleight Director Robert Cowley Producer Bob Farnworth End title: Tyne Tees. © Tyne Tees Television Ltd. MCMLXXXIV