The 'forgotten' Greater Manchester estate where people live in 'dire conditions' and are desperate for help

Tenants on a social housing estate are living in ‘dire conditions’, a politician has claimed – calling for immediate action to help ‘the forgotten people of Stockport’.

Lancashire Hill tower residents, in Reddish, say a lack of repairs is hampering their lives. They also say there are problems including broken front door locks; litter and fly-tipping; and drug dealing.

Green Party councillors said caretakers are overworked. One person, who asked not to be named, said: “There’s a lot of drug dealing and crime, it’s easy for the children to get drawn into that stuff. It’s an awful place to live.”

Another tenant said: “There are lot of issues, but they don’t listen to us.” She said she’s had to deal with problems herself, including mould in her flat and rodents in the building.

Councillor James Frizzell said: “I am appalled at the dire conditions which residents here have to put up with. Some have told me they feel like ‘the forgotten people of Stockport’ and it is easy to see why. We must reverse the downward trajectory of infrastructure and services across the estate without delay.”

At Stockport’s full council meeting last week, a motion was due to be raised by the Green Party highlighting problems at Lancashire Hill estate. The borough’s Labour Group, which has shared concerns about similar conditions at other Stockport Homes accommodation, went further, calling for the ‘refurbishment of Lancashire Hill and all multistorey properties in [Stockport Homes’] stock up to a modern decent homes standard’.

The motion was dropped when Lib Dem councillor Colin MacAlister, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and housing, offered to ‘convene a meeting with Coun Lawson [leader of the Greens] and his ward colleagues; representatives from Stockport Homes; and others so they can ‘work together towards an action plan to address those concerns’.

A spokesperson from Stockport Homes said: “Stockport Homes Group (SHG) are committed to improving the lives of all residents in the area. Lancashire Hill is managed intensively with daily caretaking, regular walkabouts, tenancy visits and close working with stakeholders such as the council and other statutory agencies.

“The safety of residents is of the utmost importance to SHG and significant investment has been made in recent years to improve building safety, install CCTV and upgrade door entry systems. Further significant investment is planned at Lancashire Hill going forward with options currently being explored to regenerate the blocks and the whole area.”

John Bowker, executive director of operations at SHG, said: “We continue to work closely with local councillors and residents to address any issues that arise at Lancashire Hill. We recognise that ongoing and intensive management is required at this scheme due to its location, demographics and high density. We remain committed to improving the area and will do all we can to achieve this to benefit the lives of all residents who live there. Councillor MacAlister has asked for a detailed update and will be visiting later this week or next week.”

Stockport Homes was formed in 2005 to manage housing stock across Stockport on behalf of the council.

Greater Manchester Police was contacted for comment.