Flaking paint on the magnificent Ossulston estate

• A “Where to move” feature on Somers Town in Saturday’s Guardian refers to the listed Ossulston estate as “magnificent”. Rightly so.

But look at this estate today. It’s been shamefully ill-maintained. And the promised repairs are delayed again. As a resident, I cannot remember any serious attempt to repair this block in 30 years.

Even the council’s own workmen complain of the shortsightedness of the lack of regular maintenance: storing up problems for the future, which then incur eye-watering costs.

In contrast we have large – arguably excessive – sums spent on the new Community Investment Programme schemes in Somers Town, and a proposed luxury tower that will – literally – overshadow Ossulston’s magnificence, if only by its height.

And at the same time Camden initiates a project of augmented reality “culture routes” to build on its “famous heritage”, including Somers Town, to bring “social benefit” to communities and will “breathe life into historical sites” and teach us “new skills”.

This is patronising when local groups (with the skills) could do the same – engender pride in a fantastic social housing heritage, and actually live in it.

How much are the –no doubt, outside – consultants are being paid? Oh well, perhaps that Augmented Reality app will help us ignore the blindingly obvious.

DIANA FOSTER
Chair Somers Town History Club, a Heritage Lottery funded project