Slow Progress on High Lane Estate Demolition
Residents in Hanwell forced to live in housing overrun with mould
Properties on the estate remain vacant with no sign of them being demolished
Residents on a Hanwell estate are still living in flats covered in mould and damp after being promised new homes for years.
Homes on the High Late Estate have been plagued by leaks, drainage issues and bad insulation with people forced to live in damp properties overrun by black mould.
The estate was earmarked for demolition last year, with residents due to be rehoused in the borough.
Father of three Zameer Saddique has lived on the estate with his family for six years, spending four years in one property before being moved when it became too damp.
His flat smells strongly of damp and has black mould growing in the toilets and on window sills. Zameer says the mould and damp in both properties has directly affected the health of his children, “All three of my children have inhalers for asthma.
“The worst part is my children’s conditions are directly related to the state of our flat. Two of my children have attended A&E with wheezing in the past month. We are so fed up.”
According to Ealing Council, the 264-home estate is being emptied in phases, with houses due to be knocked down as people move. While some properties were empty when the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the estate, there was no evidence to suggest any demolition or building work had begun.
According to Joshua Griffiths, 30, who grew up on the estate, residents have mixed feelings about moving away. He said, “There have been people who have lived on the estate for years and there’s a sense of community here. People know each other, although that has been dwindling with Covid.”
According to him, the council has started rehousing residents, although not always nearby. Under plans for the estate’s regeneration, 505 new homes will be built on the site, as well as a row of shops at its entrance, something Joshua says will be “very convenient”.
Many residents on the estate have reported plumbing and drainage issues, with sinks blocking and water coming back up through plug holes. Natalia, who has lived on the estate for 12 years said she had experienced many problems with her flat.
She said, “The sink gets blocked and water comes up into the flat. We have been given no choice but to move.”
However, not all residents living on the estate are happy to be moved. According to mother of four Fatima, the council has yet to give them any information on being rehoused.
Fatima said, “We haven’t had any issues with our flat but I’m not happy being moved. [The council] has not really been very helpful telling us when we’re moving or where we’re moving to.”
Ealing Council has been approached for comment.
Lisa Haseldine - Local Democracy Reporter
February 9, 2022
