‘Why must we live in such a terrible state?’

From the archive, first published Saturday 23rd Feb 2008.

A group of residents on a Bradford estate have hit out at the conditions they say they are having to endure as one by one the houses on their street are demolished.

Bradford Community Housing Trust has pulled down all except five houses in Fallowfield Gardens, a cul-de-sac, which it deems unsuitable for renovation.

The remaining tenants claim that since demolition began rats, faulty street lights and blocked drains have blighted their street.

And there has been an increase in rubbish being dumped, and acts of arson and anti-social behaviour.

A £5 million housing estate is being built nearby in Burnham Avenue. It is a joint development for BCHT and Manningham Housing Association and will consist of nearly 90 homes.

Every resident of Fallowfield Gardens was given the option of moving into another BCHT-owned property while the redevelopment takes place, but not all wanted to leave the area.

Those who remain are waiting to move to Burnham Avenue - a second option given by BCHT. Jane Duncan, 46, a resident for 22 years, said: "It's frustrating.

"The drains block up, people dump stuff and rats run around the gardens. I'm sick of looking at it."

Her mother Jane Lord, 64, and a resident for 28 years, said: "I think they hope we will just move but this has been home to generations of my family.

"The dumpings are daily, every night. Vermin at one point nested inside a car. This was a wonderful area. It's depressing."

Another resident, Mandy Mellor, 42, has lived there for 20 years. She said: "My children have been brought up here, so have I - this is our home.

"I don't feel safe when it's dark and I'm scared to leave the house to go on holiday because my house was burgled."

Chris Clarke, station manager of Odsal fire station, confirmed his crews had attended fires in some of the empty houses and on open ground in the street in recent months.

Sergeant Craig McKay, of the area's Neighbourhood Policing Team, urged residents to report any anti-social behaviour.

In a statement BCHT confirmed all tenants had a choice to be permanently re-housed or to remain at Fallowfield Gardens until new properties were finished on Burnham Avenue.

A spokesman said: "Those residents who chose to remain on Fallowfield Gardens have been guaranteed a new property on Burnham Avenue as soon as they become available.

"Tenants who chose to move out permanently to another BCHT property will be able to bid for properties on Burnham Avenue once completed and will be considered along with all other interested parties. Over the last two years the Trust has not had any report from residents of problems with rats at Fallowfield Gardens. As a caring and responsible landlord we have however, contacted pest control to carry out a joint site visit which will take place on February 27 to check the area and take any measures as appropriate.

"In June, 2007, our emergency services team were called out to clear a drain blockage.

"The resident affected by this particular incident was fully compensated for the inconvenience caused.

"We are committed to keeping the Fallowfield Gardens area as tidy as possible for the remaining residents."

He said staff check the site regularly and attempts are made to stop fly-tipping.

The housing trust has urged people to report flytippers confidentially on (01274) 257200 with the registration of any vehicles involved.

To report anti-social behaviour call (01274) 376625.