Prefabs in Sidegate Lane

Ipswich: Prefab revolt over proposed redevelopment of Rushmere estate

By Paul Geater Friday, March 8, 2013
1:49 PM

Keep your paws off our prefabs!

Councillors clash over prefabs

THE Conservative councillor at the heart of the debate insisted that she was not calling for all the prefabs to be pulled down immediately – but warned the borough had no coherent plan for the area.

Judy Terry said: “The prefabs are very expensive to maintain but the council has no long-term plan for what to do with them.

“There are problems with them, and these can take a long time to solve. It took months to get a problem with a toilet sorted out.”

The council had not set aside any money for major improvements to the homes over the last two years – and had only put aside £600,000 for repairs next year.

“We have to have a debate about what is going to happen there.”

She insisted that not all residents were happy with the way things were – some were unable to cope with large gardens and would welcome the opportunity to move to a smaller home.

“They are the last homes like this left in the country. But I am not saying they should all be pulled down immediately – I just want a debate over their future.”

Ipswich Labour councillor with responsibility for housing John Mowles said he was irritated that Mrs Terry had spoken to architects about possible redevelopment of the area – because that would inevitably unsettle residents.

He said: “We can never say the homes will always stay there. They are high-maintenance homes and they are going to be under constant review.

“They were built just after the war with a 10-15 year lifespan, so they have effectively been under constant review since then.

“But over the years the council has undertaken considerable investment in the homes and we continue to monitor them.

“There is no immediate plan to replace them or redevelop the area, but given the nature of the homes you can never say never.”

But he was angry about the current controversy: “We keep tenants and residents up to date with what is happening in order not to create alarm.

“By going public about her talks with architects, Mrs Terry has caused a great deal of worry to residents who love their homes – that is precisely what we have always tried to avoid.”

That’s the defiant message today from people living in the Rushmere area of town as a debate started over the future of its post-war homes.

The debate was sparked after local Conservative councillor Judy Terry revealed she had held discussions with an architect about designing an alternative housing scheme for the area.

The prefabs were put up in 1947 and had an original lifespan of 10 to 15 years. They are still standing more than 65 years after they were put up – but most of their occupants love their homes.

Jim Oxlade owns his home in Sidegate Lane, and was appalled to hear that there had been any discussion about redeveloping the area.

He said: “I suppose it’s a Labour councillor talking about this!” When told Mrs Terry was a Conservative, he was blunt: “Well, she’s just lost my vote!”

His home is a labour of love and he has created a well-manicured garden: “This is ideal for us as an older couple. I’m 82 and this is the home we want to see ourselves out in.

“It’s a nice area and a good house. It’s not difficult to keep in order – we’re not council tenants so we have to maintain everything ourselves and it’s fine.”

His neighbour Terry Fisher is also very happy in the area: “We’ve been here 26 years. It’s a great place to live and there’s a real community feel to it. There are no problems with the house.”

Theresa Cowling has lived in her Sidegate Lane prefab for three years: “This is much better than where I was before. It’s been well maintained by the council and I’m very happy here. I wouldn’t want to see the house replaced.”

Inverness Road off Sidegate Lane is dominated by prefabs, and it wasn’t difficult to find fans of the homes there either.

Cynthia Self was walking her dog Buster, and had been outraged to hear any suggestion that the homes might be demolished.

She said: “I’d heard about this and I was disgusted. There are a lot of old people living around here who love their homes and don’t want to be forced out of them.

“I don’t think it will happen, but just by raising the issue in this way Mrs Terry has caused a lot of concern among a lot of people.”

Steve Latimer was also angered by the suggestion: “We don’t think much of this. We have a very strong community here. I’ve lived here three years and my partner has been here five.

“We’ve got some very elderly neighbours and people here keep an eye on each other – people like having their gardens and being bungalows the homes are ideal for older people. This is a dreadful idea.”

Primrose and Brian Gull were also very happy in their home: “I wouldn’t want to move – we’re comfortable here and it’s a nice area,” said Mrs Gull.

However not everyone was a fan of the homes. Douglas Dean would welcome the chance to move to a modern, traditionally-built home.

He said: “The rooms are very small here and there are always problems. There are always things that need to be done to the homes.

“I’d much rather be in a decent new home – it would be much better.”

But Sharon Stammers felt the homes were essential to the character of the area: “Rushmere is Rushmere – and it wouldn’t be the same without these homes.

“People have lived in these homes for 50 or 60 years and are quite happy here. I would not want to move, it’s just what I want,” she said.

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This is important for residents and others interested to know....NEWSLETTER 6 – FEBRUARY IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL CORE STRATEGY AND POLICIES REVIEW – CALL FOR IDEAS The Council adopted its Core Strategy and Policies development plan document in December 2011 CONTACT DETAILS Please submit any comments on matters raised in this newsletter to the Head of Development aPublic Protection using one of the following methods: E-mail: planningandregeneration@ipswich.gov.uk Post: Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE Please specify clearly whether your comments relate to the:  Core Strategy and Policies review  Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) DPD  Local List (Buildings of Townscape Interest) SPD  Development and Flood Risk SPD  Urban Characterisation Study SPD We look forward to receiving your comments by 5pm on 14 March 2013 for the aboth documents with the exception of the Development and Flood Risk SPD by 5pm on 28 Marc2013. If you have any queries please telephone 01473 432019. www.ipswich.gov.uklocalplan

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SOCS

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I fondly remember visiting a museum somewhere in North Yorkshire as a child - Eden Camp, and they had a prefab set up as a museum piece. I remember not understanding why people were so intrigued by it and proudly telling the staff that there were loads of them where I live. Would be a shame to see them go - sentimental though it sounds.

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Renbud

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I fondly remember visiting a museum somewhere in North Yorkshire as a child - Eden Camp, and they had a prefab set up as a museum piece. I remember not understanding why people were so intrigued by it and proudly telling the staff that there were loads of them where I live. Would be a shame to see them go - sentimental though it sounds.

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Renbud

Friday, March 8, 2013
These bungalows are perfect for alot of us who live in them, yes some have problems but build a house that doesnt have and wont ever have problems and im sure youll find someone to complain about it. I have been here for 7years now and have loved it and the community whole heartedly, I have certain needs that a bungalow helped me fulfill and it has enabled me where as a flat or residential apartment would have been soul destroying for me aswell as a physical obstacle to just come and go. It is unfortunate that there are not enough bungalows to meet the disabled needs in Ipswich and having a garden is quite important to alot us. I wouldnt say they are to big at all, I wouldnt mind a bigger one to be honest but thats me. I must admit that the whole area may look like a scene from Lego land but I think that just enhances the charm of this community and makes it all the more unique. If you really look you will see each household have made theyre own marks on the appearance of it from the street in one way or another, and the maintenance issues are being addressed by the council no matter how long they go about it. Unfortunately governors are good at telling us what we need disregarding what the people want, and will go ahead with theyre ideals over and above necessity or desire. I would like to live here for a long time, I do wish it was bigger in having an additional bedroom and maybe a bigger living room as I also have children but for now as a family we are happy here and want to stay! Only a lottory win would change that but then again I doubt id move from the street.

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Greendigit

Friday, March 8, 2013
Last week we commented on the the prefab area as " a little oasis of charm, peace and calm". April 2011 (Issue183) The Ipswich Society was singing the praises of "prefabricated" houses with their green credentials. Perhaps the area should be assessed as an "Undesignated Heritage Asset Area" as The Borough now has a Supplementary Planning Document consultation on the "Local List' ending on 14th March. If any of the present prefabs were truely "no longer fit for purpose", they could be replaced like for like with modern equivalents. This would preserve the "heritage and urban landscape features" of this special area; it's trees, hedges and mature gardens and be put forward for the "Local List" under English Heritage criteria. Residents should apply for this to happen via the Borough's Conservation Officer Gail Broom. (Ips 432935) Ipswich Borough have done a good job maintaining the buildings and the area since the 1950's and the Borough should be proud of this achievement. The buildings are ideal for "vulnerable groups" the elderly and the unwell disabled; they also allow larger local houses to be released as people move out of the Rushmere Estate family homes and move to the prefabs. There are other pieces of land which local residents along Humber Doucey Lane say they have already been approached on with "suggestions" ' possibly "earmarked" for local social housing near the rugby club by someone, possible a local male councillor? These are likely to be put forward for the expansion review of the Ipswich Local Plan Core Strategy as the Borough are inviting landowners to put forward their sites, such as the "Jolly site" 184 on Humber Doucey Lane, again by the 14th March. Residents could form themselves as an Urban Community Neighbourhood Association under the Localism Act to enable them as a local community the Right to Challenge over planning. This might give them status, control and authority in determining what happens to the area, their special area. They could ask advice at their next N W Area Committee advertised in the ANGLE.

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SOCS

Friday, March 8, 2013
The 8 initial comments to this article were informative and good. Why have they been removed? Can they be put back in the interests of openness and transparency, please.I did do a print out of them fearing that they may disappear. A comment that I put forward also did not get displayed though I was told the comments were not being moderated. I wonder what's going on at the Ipswich Star?

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SOCS

Friday, March 8, 2013
Oh nearly forgot ......wasn't it Cllr Terry who supported Tesco over the application for the Emporer in Norwich Road against a large number of residents wishes..........

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Tolly

Friday, March 8, 2013
This reminds me of John Prescot's bulldozing of rows of terrace homes in the North - people made to move out of their lifelong communities so that developers could capitalise on the land. I remember one owner occupier who was made to give up his home but the price he got for his house was less than half of the new ones! Cllr Terry's developer friends will be rubbing their hands at the thought of getting hold of this land - is she up for re-election in May?

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Tolly

Friday, March 8, 2013
Where have all the other comments gone? Btw NOEXCUSE - not all of these homes are tenanted. Some are privately owned!

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Just Me

Friday, March 8, 2013
Get rid of these eye-sores, they look like cheap LEGO houses and these tenants have far too much land

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NOEXCUSE

Friday, March 8, 2013
Appalling comment, Stupid man!!!

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POPPI REDD

Friday, March 8, 2013
get over it your getting new homes.

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John Smith

Friday, March 8, 2013

More politics

BROWNIE LEADER CONFRONTS TERRORIST