‘There’s no problem,’ says estate

PLANS to spend £1.6 million on turning a Camden Town estate into a gated compound have been dismissed as “daft” by bewildered residents.
Camden Council wants to section off blocks with high-security gates and fences to make the Curnock Street estate safer, to clear the area of drug dealers and to curb anti-social behaviour.
But residents say the drug dealers left after £867,000 was spent securing the stairwells two years ago.
Tenant Jason Olive told last Wednesday’s full council meeting that the estate was crime free and that the council did not need to spend the money.
He said: “The estate is a picture of tranquillity. It’s daft. They want to spend £1.6 million on a problem that doesn’t exist.”
Tracy Warnes, joint secretary of Curnock Street Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, told the meeting: “We are all dumbfounded by the plans. We don’t feel threatened by crime. There is no burglary, vandalism or even graffiti.
“The proposed gates and fences will mean fewer and fewer people around.
“Living in a ghost town will not make us feel safer. It would be quite the opposite.”
In May last year, residents’ association members voted overwhelmingly against putting up fences and sectioning off areas.
And in January this year a residents’ association poll found two thirds of the estate opposed the council’s plans.
But Labour housing boss Councillor Raj Chada said the gates had been proposed on police advice.
He said: “Police have confirmed that drug dealing is acute and dangerous, and that the area is vulnerable to intrusion.”
The existing layout of the estate facilitated these activities and had to be addressed, he added.
Cllr Chada said: “The council has long recognised residents’ concerns. We have had large consultations and meeting within the block.”
He added that it remained unclear why there was a disparity between the residents’ survey and the council’s.
But estate residents point out the council’s consultation took place in 2003, before the dealers left.
Residents’ Association chairwoman Susan Gorrie said: “I was disappointed that the response of Cllr Chada used outdated information.”
After the meeting, Ms Warnes said: “I found the meeting quite overwhelming. They just don’t listen to us. We are all bitterly disappointed with the consultations and we are very proud of our survey.”