A cautionary tale for Gospel Oak

Published: 9 December, 2010

• IT is hard to believe Camden Council intends moving 5,000 people out of their homes in Gospel Oak, not because these aren’t fit to live in, but because the council wants the land their homes are built on.

I imagine that the 5,000 Camden residents who are to be decanted have been given assurances they will be able to return to the area when the building work is over. But I wonder if anyone remembers just how many people returned to Harmood Street after the decanting of the west side of the street in the early 1970s. The answer is… none.

By the time the  houses (which were not demolished after all) had been done up, people who had lived in them had made new lives for themselves in the places to which they had been sent. I remember some very unattractive choices for “temporary”’ relocation: I think Thamesmead was one, and none was anywhere near. But, people are resilient. Children make new friends, etc, etc.

If, as John Reid’s letter (December 2) suggests, many of the 5,000 are happy where they are, the council should leave them alone. That does not mean neglect necessary repairs and improvements.

ESTHER WHITBY
Harmood Street, NW1