The Excalibur prefab estate. 189 prefabs erected by prisoners of war, are due for demolition, Please sign the petition to save this village like estate in Catford se6 1rp. Please visit the estate and we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised by it quaint buildings and prefabricated church. It is a residential area and you will be most welcome, The estate is earmarked for demolition to make way for a large council housing estate, don’t let this happen, in years to come people will say why on earth was such a lovely place allowed to be demolished, a virtually crime free, solid community Vs the bulldozers. Please Help, sign the petition.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/excalibur/

I have signed the petition.
I have looked at all the names of the people that have signed. Funny but I couldn’t see any of our TMO ’s names on there or our housing officer ’s name.
Yet if you ask them they always keep telling you they want to keep the prefabs. If that is the case why have they not signed. It’s a unique village like estate that needs to be saved. So come on TMO & HOUSING OFFICER what are you afraid of. Sign the petition if you mean what you say.

i have lived on the excalibure estate for sixteen years and they have been the best years of my tenant life, and i will not stand by, and allow lewisham council, to destroy such a wonderful place, bring it on, baliffs and bulldosers,

i agree it is a wonderful place to live ,and i too will stand fast,and so will my neighbours,
lewisham council have already lost their councillors in the whitefoot ward,
and stand to lose a lot more, if they continue to bully people out of their homes

This is a unique estate with a strong sense of community, there are many family’s with relatives living on this estate, it is a very close knit community. And I believe the vast majority of resident will stand together on this one.
And show what a real community is made of

Lewisham council was given this land; it never cost them a penny. They have been taking rent of off tenants for the past sixty years, and have put very little back. If the estate has to be refurbished then it will be with the money they have taken from residents. So Lewisham council stop whining and put some of our hard earned cash back into the prefabs.

let this be a lesson to everyone that voted for this joke of a goverment that is called labour now is the time to vote with your ink and get rid of this poor excuse for a goverment vote conservatives at the next election

Still no sign of OUR TMO or HOUSING OFFICER names on the petition. No surprise there then. Maybe the NEWS SHOPPER could ask them why they haven’t signed. But be prepared NEWS SHOPPER they will only tell you a pack of lies just like they tell all the tenants on the estate. I think its about time somebody seriously looks into what the tenants of the estate want and listen to us, we are the people who make up the whole of the estate. Not the small minded so called TMO bunch.

The news shopper article states

Under the Decent Homes programme all council-owned properties should be dry, safe and warm, have a modern bathroom and kitchen and be in a good state of repair.

According to a Lewisham Council survey, none of the 187 bungalows on the Excalibur Estate in Downham meet the standard.

I BEG TO DIFFER THIS my home is warm, safe and dry. I also have a built in kitchen and a modern bathroom. so once again Lewisham Council are talking a load of ****. How did they carry out this survey because nobody has been in my home to inspect it, so how did they come to the conclusion NONE of the prefabs meet the decent homes standards. I know for a fact my prefab is not the only one that meets the decent homes standards there are lots of tenants on the estate who have ploughed a lot of thier hard earned cash into making their homes decent and livable, because Lewisham Council wouldn’t give us the money. Has for 187 prefabs they are not all owned by Lewisham Council some are privately owned so the statistics on their survey are incorrect. Once again more lies from Lewisham Council. When are the officials going to open their eyes up to what Lewisham Council is playing at?

I am in training to be a Home Inspector and have an interest in the Pre-fabricated houses. I had not known of this estate until now when I watched a programme on Sky called Dissappearing London and hosted by Suggs, so I'm hoping others have also been watching, noted you plight and are now looking to save the Excalibur Estate. I have not seen the estate but intend to visit sometime soon. Good luck with the campaign - I wish you all the best.

Thank you Midlon for your support and concern in Saving the Unique Historical Excalibur Pre-fab estate in Catford. You can show your support even further by signing our petition to Tony Blair at:-

http://petitions.pm.




gov.uk/excalibur/. You could also ask your friends, relatives and anybody else you think might like to sign the petition.
Hope you do get to come along and see our beautiful pre-fab estate.

I don't know if this is too late, but I just watched David Dimbleby on BBC1, so I looked you up on line.
I lived, attended school and worked in Lewisham, Downham and Greenwich for donkeys years, but never knew of the existance of the Excalibur Estate.
I new many people that lived in pre fab homes in Greenwich years ago, and they were all happy...the homes were demolished a very long time ago, but I find them in my memory often, they were made into comfortable homes by many people, and judging by the comments here and the lovely elderly gent on BBC1, they are well loved and comfortable homes in Catford too. Leave well alone I say. Community spirit is dead in most of London, so the fact that you have it is commendable. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Good luck to all of you

As in the previous comment I also saw the David Dimblbey program and could'nt resist feeding prefab into Google to see if it would find you.My dad and I hope to visit the estate really soon,dad is 86 so he really remembers why prefabs were needed.Why knock the prefabs down if they are OK?

I have signed up after watching tv this evening I live in a two story prepab and wouldnt change it for anything I hope you beat the system these properties are unique and sound and whats to say we could be in the same position as you in a few years time all the best to all you campainers

I got lost on the way to Bromley and came upon this fascinating estate. It has a seaside atmosphere, very charming, with all the decorative gardens and colourful prefabs. I had no idea this estate was here and could plainly see that the tenants have looked after and enjoy there homes. I would have thought Lewisham Council would be proud of this thriving village and want to preserve this remnant of the post war period. Is there a financial incentive to them to reclaim the land?

Good luck to you in your struggle.

Maire Sullivan wrote:
I got lost on the way to Bromley and came upon this fascinating estate. It has a seaside atmosphere, very charming, with all the decorative gardens and colourful prefabs. I had no idea this estate was here and could plainly see that the tenants have looked after and enjoy there homes. I would have thought Lewisham Council would be proud of this thriving village and want to preserve this remnant of the post war period. Is there a financial incentive to them to reclaim the land?

Good luck to you in your struggle.

'their'homes - sorry

I was born and brought up in a Hawksley BL8 pre-fab in Letchworth Garden City,Herts, and my parents bought it in 1985 after living there 35years.The housing association who took over ownership of 50 of the 60 homes (10 are owner-occupied)5 years ago, have been planning their demolition since that time,and to replace them with high density housing. At first, everyone showed solidarity against the idea,but gradually many have been worn down by all the stress and uncertainty.It has caused bad-feeling and suspicion amongst residents. This was once a friendly community, but now there is a divide,and bad feeling and fear have set in.My mother,84, and a property owner with freehold land, has spent her savings having her 3-bedroom bungalow modernised and is dreading the upheavel of having to leave the home she has owned for the past 22 years.I have read many articles on pre-fab dwellers across England and Wales who have had the similar experiences and I pray that the residents on your estate stay united. A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Good luck to you all in your fight.

I was born in 1944 and grew up in Conisborough Crescent Catford and spent most of my childhood in and around the area of Foster Park and surrounbding roads. I knew the Excaliber Estate well and although it has been many years since I have beeen back there I intend to return and visit again very soon. I went to school at Downderry Primary and then to Downham Secondary School. In those days when we did not have many cars around it was either bike,bus, tram or walk and thats how I got to know the area so well. My sister went to Catford County Girls school which was very close to the prefab estate. I was suprised that the prefabs are still there having spotted them on an aerial phot site so I seached on Google to come to this website forum. Good Luck and although I never lived in a prefab I wish well to all the residents.My wife lived in a prefab in the Lorrimore road area of Walworth soon after the war from 1948 to about 1957 so she often recalls what it was like in those days of austerity to survive without todays luxuries and comforts.
If the prefabs are well mainatined as no doubt todays residenr have pride in their properties then for goodness sake they are part of our historic heritage and let them stay. One prefab that stands in thein the Duxford airfield war museum is poor epitath for what many Londoners spreciated after the bombings
Norman Sells

A question for Gill from Hertfordshire- is this campaign in Letchworth continuing or is it a done deal and are the houses to be lost?

I was brought up in a prefab in Arbroath in the 1950s. I remember them fondly. Good luck with your fight to retain the estate.

my daughter and her hushband and little son have lived on the eastate for 2 years now. they are very pleased to have been able to live there, and though their pre-fab needs a little work doing to it this wouldn't cost very much, they don't want to move as they say that they feel safe and the community is very friendly, they feel this is the best place to bring up their family. when i first visited their home i just wished that i would be able to apply to live there. carry on with your good fight and all the best.

I think they should be knocked down. I have lived there for the past 14 years and it is rubbish. My house is cold! I have got burns on my bum were I was sitting close to the fire because it was cold. And crime, well all these old people do not now what is going on the street. The alley ways are used as areas for smoking weed and infact I got my washing stolen and other times of madnesses around the area I have had. KNOCK THEM DOWN SO I CAN GET OUT!!!!!

Don’t know what the idiot above is talking about, sounds like it was written by Lewisham council. all the prefabs have central heating i should know as my husband help to fit them, someone should show this idiot how it works, its that great big white thing hanging on the wall in your kitchen try -turning it on- as for the burns on your bum, well maybe you wouldn’t be so cold if you put some cloths on. And if you’re not happy living there then move, you narrow minded bigot

I'm sure the Excalibur estate was designated a conservation area by English Heritage. Certainly an estate in Catfor is mentioned in the book 'Palaces for the People' by Greg Stevenson as a conservation area and it was the same sort of prefab. Although properties in conservation areas can still be demolished under certain circumstances I'm sure this would make it quite hard for Lewisham council to carry out any demolition. I'd check with English Heritage who should be able to advise you.


My name is Jim Blackender I am a tenant on the Excalibur Prefab Estate Catford SE6 1RP, a very unique Historic Estate,
As tenants we are trying to highlight the difficulties we are having trying to save our historic estate
from the bulldozers
The Decent Homes Standard has given councils the golden opportunity to write off vast amounts of housing stock as non decent and transfer their stocks to housing associations who build in its place high density housing estates.

The Excalibur Prefab Estate is the largest of its kind now left in Europe.
Europe values its war time history, we on the estate think it’s time we did too.

Stock Transfer. Whether stock transfer will go ahead on the Excalibur prefab estate will depend on a ballot of the tenants of this estate.

The Ballot is due in April 2008. But we have been told by Lewisham council (in writing) if we vote yes, the stock will be transferred to London & Quadrant, and the estate will be demolished, and if we vote no to stock transfer, the estate will be put forward for a regeneration scheme, Lewisham council will select a housing association of its choice, and the estate will be demolished, so not really a choice at all is it?
Just a greedy grab for land, what happened to democracy?


A grab for land and a multi- million pound deal will be done -at the expense of our history.

English Heritage has submitted an application to the Department of culture media and sports recommending a grade two listing of the Excalibur estate.
But things seem to take so long, I worry this estate will be demolished before the DCMS makes it decision.
Also there is no guarantee that the DCMS will list the estate, could be a conflict of interests; after all they are part of the same government that introduced this so called opportunity, we will have to see how independent they really are.
If the London borough of Lewisham has it way this Historic estate will no longer exist, and in its place will be another inner city housing estate, and another piece of history gone forever.

to Sally Leahy:Unfortunately, the plans to knock down the Hawksley BL8 bungalows in Letchworth are going through. Many residents gave up the fight because they were sick of the bad feeling it has caused.One of the newest tenants - who has been extremely vocal from the start - said it took him 4 years to find somewhere appropriate for his disabled wife to live, and at the first opportunity, led a crusade to have them knocked down! Most long-term residents - some are freehold home-owners- still want to live in them. The area consists of 60 3-bedroomed semi-detached bungalows with spacious front and rear gardens, and 2-room sheds attached to the properties. The plans going through - after several re-designs -are 100 or so houses, bungalows, and flats, all facing one way, and with small gardens and car-ports. That is progress for you. I hope everyone sticks together in Catford. If the estate is good enough to live in before promises of cash incentives, they should still be good enough after.Enough of our Heritage has been disgarded - let these people enjoy some of what there is left of it. I support you all the way

I'm so sorry to hear that the Letchworth bungalows are being demolished! They were one of the rarest designs of THP prefab bungalow and I'm immensely sad that the council has decided to demolish them. I do hope residents think to take photographs of the houses before demolition, both inside and out, to at least ensure that these unique homes are recorded as a part of Britains housing history.

i live in a BL8 in redditch, we saved 30 of these a couple of years ago after being threatened with demolishment of our houses, the council in
question should have a look at what we ahve had done to our homes, our houses have been set aside as suitable for families with disabilitiwes, as someone leaves the houses are allocated to someone on the list who have disabilities, extra wide doors wide halls and many other solutions geared to disability

alan mason

Thank you to people for their comments regarding the Hawksley bungalows in Letchworth. The neighbours association here travelled to see your homes in Redditch and met with some of the residents, one of whom wrote a lovely letter of support. Here, the council, 4 years ago said they had no plans for redevelopment, then promptly sold them on to an outfit called North Herts Homes, who, with the Heritage association appear intent on knocking down much of Letchworth and surrounding areas to fill any spare space with new housing and no extra amenities.Incidental

ly,where are all these homeless people who require housing? They say the prefabs are in an irrepairable condition,which is completely untrue. Unfortunately,offers of money, fish ponds and garages appear to be enough to change some tenants minds.None of this is in writing, and the plans submitted for the 2nd time a month ago do not include garages. The ten homeowners were verbally offered different amounts of cash for their land. How can anyone trust these money-making bullies? The residents are waiting for officials, who don't even live in the town, to decide their future.I hope anyone thinking of taking up Lewisham councils offer to move will bear in mind the experiences of prefab dwellers here. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a happy solution to Catford residents and any other prefab estates under threat. They should be building more not knocking existing ones down if such a housing shortage really exists in this country.

i don't know the Downham prefabs but i have distinct memories of those in Catford....on the way to the park where we'd play knock down ginger...... in the U.S 'Prefab' is the new architectural in-word, highly fashionable and held in high esteem. If they are to be demolished, crate them up and send them out here, they'll ripen up well in the Californian sun.

I LIVED IN THE PREFABS FOR 8 YEARS AND I AM SORRY BUT NOT ALL OF US WANT TO KEEP THESE PREFABS. NOT ALL OF US HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THESE I MY KIDS HAVE DAMP IN THERE BEDROOM I HAVE DAMP IN MY FRONT ROOM!I HAVE THE NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL THE ALLEY WAYS SOME TIMES CAN BE QUIET BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND WHEN YOU WANT SOME THING DOWN IT IS DONE CHEAPLY AND A LOT OF THE TIME THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO IT SO WHAT IS THE POINT! AND IN THE WINTER YOU HAVE TO FELL COLDS BECAUSE YOU CANT AFFORD TO HEAT THE PREFABS, AND THE CONDENSEING ON THE WINDOWS THE BLACK STUFF THAT I HAVE TO CLEAN EVERY WEEK.I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE A NICE NON DAMP HOME WHERE MY KIDS HAVE THERE OWN ROOMS AND WHEN YOU PUT THE GAS ON IT IS NOT GOING OUT OF THE WINDOWS!!! IF YOU ALL VOTE NO DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT LEWISHAMWILL CHANGE THERE MIND? AND I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD STOP SAYING THAT MOST OF US WANT TO SAFE IT OR R THEY JUST WANT TO KEEP SOME PEOPLE SWEET! SO PLEASE JUST LET US HAVE OUR WARM HOMES. THEY CANT BE ANY WORSE THAN LEWISHAM CAN THEY

I LIVE HERE AND ITS NOT ALL LIKE YOU SEE ON THE TV. WOULD YOU LIVE IN DAMP CONITIONS, OVERCROWDING AND A BULLY ON YOUR DOOR STEP. WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO A DECENT HOME AND THIS IS OUR WAY OF GETTING OURS. DON'T SAVE THE PREFABS

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE REGION OF 60 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK,, CONSIDERING THIS, IT IS AMAZING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE SO IN FAVOUR OF SAVING THESE PREFABS,, BUT YOU'SDO NOT LIVE IN ONE ,DO YOU,,, RESIDENTS IN THIS ESTATE ARE BEING FORCED TO LIVE HERE DUE TO INTERFERING BUSY-BODIES THAT WOULD NEVER GIVE UP A SOLIDLY BUILT HOUSE TO LIVE IN A PROPERY MADE OF A DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE SUCH AS ASBESTOS,,, NOW HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNOW THAT,,, THESE PREFABS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN GLORIFIED SHEDS THAT THE LOCAL COUNCIL IS HAPPY TO CHARGE US RENT FOR,,,, CONSIDERING , THESE PREFABS WERE ONLY EVER CONSTRUCTED IN THE FIRST PLACE AS TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND ARE STILL BEING GIVEN TO NEW RESIDENTS UNDER THE CONTRACT OF THIER HOUSING AGREEMENT AS "TEMPORARY RESIDENCE". THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP ARE NOT SPEAKING 100% FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE MAJORITY OF TENANTS,, THEY ARE INSTEAD A BREAKAWAY GROUP OF RESIDENTS THAT DO APPEAR TO BE HAPPY TO CARRY ON LIVING WHERE THEY ARE,, EVEN TO THE EXTENT OF USING BULLYING TACTICTS TO STOP OTHER RESIDENTS SPEAKING OUT FOR THE BUILDING OF NEW COMFORTABLE HOMES THAT DO MEET THE GOVERMENT GUIDELINES.. THESE TYPE OF PROPERTIES WOULD BE LAUGHED AT TODAY IF THEY WERE TO BE PUT UP IN FRONT OF PLANNING OFFICALS WITH REGARDS TO USING THE SAME MATERIALS.. THERE MAY BE A HANDFUL OF ORIGINAL TENNANTS THAT STILL LIVE HERE SINCE THEY WERE FIRST BUILT,(IF THAT),,UNDERSTANDABL

Y AS IT MAY BE THAT AT THIER STAGE OF LIFE THAT THEY MAY NOT WISH TO BE DEALING WITH THE UPHEAVAL AND DEALING TO LIVE IN A NEW HOME ESPECIALLY AFTER THE "SO CALLED "WORRIED TENANTS GROUP HAVE FILLED THIER HEADS WITH A LOAD OF RUBBISH , AND TOTALLY UNTRUE FACTS,, LEAVING THEM TOTALLY BEWILDERED AND CONFUSED,, AS IF THEY HAVE'NT GOT ENOUGH ACTUAL FACTS TO DEAL WITH ,, FACTS THAT ARE COMING DIRECT FROM THE SAID TO BE NEW LANDLORDS,,LONDON AND QUADRANT,,, SO WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OVERCROWDING ISSUES,,, FROM WHAT I AM BEING LED TO BELIEVE , IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 25% OF THE PROPERTIES ON THIS ESTATE LIVING IN SMALL CONFINED SPACES LEADING TO THE ALREADY PROBLEMATIC ISSUES OF DAMP,DRAUGHTY AND COLD. THESE PROPERTIES ARE TOTALLY NOT ECO-FRIENDLY,, ONLY OVER THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS HAVE THEY HAD NEW CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS INSTALLED,,, HOW UNBELIEVEABLY RIDICULOUS THESE SYSTEMS ARE PROVING TO BE FOR A LOT OF PROPERTIES,, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THESE SYSTEMS WHICH EVEN WHEN ON CONSTANTLY BEAR THE USER VERY LITTLE COMFORT AS THE DRAUGHT ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN RECTIFIED AND WITH THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS STILL IN MOST OF THE HOMES THE HEAT IS JUST CONSTANTLY ESCAPING. NOT ONLY DO THESE SYSTEMS COST EXTORTIONATE RATES FOR THE PREFABS TO REMAIN SOMEWHAT WARMISH BECAUSE THEY TEND TO BE RUNNING NEARLY ALL THE TIME,,( IF WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR MORE GAS THAT GETS CONSUMED AT THE HIGHER COSTS SET BE THE UTILITIES DIVISIONS) AS THE HEAT IS CONSTANTLY ESCAPING DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF THE BUILDINGS WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDING TO OUR CARBON FOOTPRINTS AND THE ADDED ISSUES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE OZONE LAYER,,, THESE PROPERTIES ARE TOTALLY NOT BENIFITING ANYBODY IN ANY "GOOD WAY" . ESPECIALLY HITTING HARD IN THE POCKET... THERE ARE MANY ELDERLY FOLK LIVING ON THIS ESTATE THAT ALREADY STRUGGLE WITH WELL KNOWN WIDESPREAD ISSUES,, SUCH AS,, WETHER TO PAY FOR FOOD OR PAY FOR MUCH NEEDED HEAT , ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND IN WORSE WINTER MONTHS TO COME.. WHY SHOULD THESE POOR PEOPLE HAVE TO STARVE JUST SO THAT THEY CAN PAY TO HEAT THE OUTSIDE OF THIER HOMES , (WHICH IS WHAT THIER HOMES AND HEATING SYSTEMS ACTUALLY DO)..
WHY SHOULD THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH LIVING IN SUCH POOR CONDITIONS,,, IT IS OFTEN BEEN SAID THAT "YOU SHOULD NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT COVER" WELL HERE IS SUCH A CASE.
TO SOME THESE PREFABS MAY LOOK NICE, OR QUAINT, AND ON THE OTHER HAND TO SOME THEY LOOK ROUGH OR SHABBY OR EVEN LAUGHABLE... SO WHAT..THEY MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT AFTER WW2 SO WHAT.. WE ARE NOW LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.. WHY IS IT THAT JUST BECAUSE ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE WISH TO LIVE IN THEM, WHY SHOULD EVERYBODY ELSE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY DO WITHOUT SOME CHANCE OF A DECENT STANDARD OF HOME WHICH IS BEING OFFERED,,, IT IS A FACT THAT , YES, THEY HAVE SOME HISTORIC INTEREST, BUT THAT IS IT,,,, STICK ONE OF THEM INTO THE MUSEUM SO THAT ANY BODY THAT WISHES TO SEE ONE THE CHANCE IS THEN THERE.. WHY IS IT THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY SHOUTING "SAVE OUR PREFABS" ARE USING THE CAUSE THAT RELATES DIRECTLY TO AFTER WW2,, VERY STRANGE,,THEY WERE NOT EVEN BORN THEN ,,(MOST OF THEM ANYWAY).. FROM WHAT I KNOW OF WARS IS THAT MOST PEOPLE THAT DO ACTUALLY GO TO WAR DO NOT ENJOY IT, AND MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT WISH TO BE REMINDED OF IT "UNNECESSARILY" BY SELF MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST WISH TO USE THE WAR AS AN EXCUSE TO KEEP WHAT THEY DO NOT EVEN OWN,, SOME PEOPLE DO OWN THIER PREFAB BUT A VERY SMALL MINORITY.. THEY ARE BEING OFFERED A GOOD DEAL TO GIVE UP THIERS AND SOME ARE VERY WILLING TO MOVE TODAY...
IT IS NOT FAIR ON THE REMAINING TENANTS OF THIS ENTIRE ESTATE THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WETHER THEY ARE COMING OR GOING JUST BECAUSE A HANDFUL OF TENANTS WHO ARE NON-ELECTED VOLUNTEERS KEEP THROWING A SPANNER IN THE WORKS JUST TO SUIT THEMSELVES,,, THEY ARE JUST SELFMINDED AND REALLY DO NOT HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE MAJORITY TO KEEP RUINING THIER CHANCE OF A DECENT QUALITY HOME THAT WOULD BE ACTUALLY WORTH PAYING RENT FOR,,, IF BRITISH HERITAGE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ESTATE AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS FROM AS MUCH AS 2 YEARS AGO THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD THIER MINDS MADE UP BY NOW IF THERE WAS REALLY ANYTHING WORTHWHILE TO SAVE IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST ..CONSIDERING THAT THESE PLACES WHERE WE LIVE ARE NOT EVEN THE EQUIVALENT QUALITY OF A CARAVAN,, WHY IS IT THAT IT CAN TAKE SO LONG TO ORGANISE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS ESTATE WHEN IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO CLOSE DOWN A CARAVAN SITE,,, NEITHER THE PREFABS OR CARAVANS WERE EVER DESIGNED TO BE PERMANENT STRUCTURES, THE BOTH LOOK THE SAME AND ADD NO VALUE TO LOCAL PROPERTIES SURROUNDING THEM. SURELY IT MUST BE EASIER FOR THE COUNCIL TO MAKE THIER MINDS UP ABOUT THE PREFABS,,, AFTERALL,, IS'NT IT THEY THAT ACTUALLY OWN THEM AND THE LAND THAT THEY ARE ON.,,, ONE FINAL QUOTE,,, WHY DONT THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO KEEP THIERS BE GIVEN A PIECE OF LAND SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE THIER PREFAB AND ALL BELONGINGS TO THAT SITE SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE OUT THIER REMAINING DAYS WITH A PERMANANT LISTING TO KEEP AS TOTALLY ORIGINAL FROM THE DAY THEY WERE BUILT,,, THAT IS IF ANY ARE STILL AS ORIGINAL,,, OH BOTHER,, LET EM TAKE EM AWAY TO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO PUT THEM,,, THEY MOST CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE MISSED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM,,, OF THAT I AM VERY SURE,,, AND IF THEY EVER WANT TO SEE ONE,,GO TO A MUSEUM.!!! I HOPE THAT BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK THAT THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES CAN FIND SOME LEGAL GAFFING TAPE TO PUT AROUND THE MOUTHS OF THE " SO CALLED WORRIED TENANTS GROUP" MOUTHS , PREVENTING ANY FURTHER DISTURBANCES IN THE PROGRESS OF REDEVOLOPING THIS ESTATE AND GIVING BETTER QUALITY WELL DESERVED HOMES TO THE REST OF THE PEOPLE THAT DO DESERVE THEM...!

I FORGOT TO MENTION IN PREVIOUS BLOG,,,
THE NAME OF THIS ESTATE OF PREFABS IS EXCALIBUR,,,
IS'NT IT IRONIC THAT IN ACCORDANCE TO HISTORICAL TALES , WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE OF EXCALIBURS BLADE WAS " TAKE ME UP" AND ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS WRITTEN " CAST ME AWAY" ,, NOW IS'NT THAT IRONIC.

dawn wrote:
Don’t know what the idiot above is talking about, sounds like it was written by Lewisham council. all the prefabs have central heating i should know as my husband help to fit them, someone should show this idiot how it works, its that great big white thing hanging on the wall in your kitchen try -turning it on- as for the burns on your bum, well maybe you wouldn’t be so cold if you put some cloths on. And if you’re not happy living there then move, you narrow minded bigot

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU DAWN,,, HOW CAN YOU TELL SOMEONE TO MOVE OR MORE TO THE POINT,, WHO OR WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TELL SOMEONE TO MOVE IF THEY ARE UNHAPPY DUE TO THE CONDITIONS THEY ARE LIVING IN,,, SO WHAT IF YOUR HUSBAND FITTED THESE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS,, DOESNT MEAN THAT THEY BECOME THE ANSWERS TO EVERYONES PRAYERS AND SORT OUT EVERY SINGLE ISSUE,, IT IS JUST A PRIME EXAMPLE OF TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.. YOU MIGHT BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE LIVING IN A CARDBOARD BOX,, THAT DOESNT MEAN THAT EVERYBODY HAS TO BE...TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS WERE FITTED BY YOUR HUSBAND AND THEREFORE WE SHOULD THEN HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED AND SHOULD ALL NOW BE HAPPY I PUT IT TO YOU THAT,,"YOU" ARE THE NARROW MINDED BIGGOT , AND ALSO ANOTHER BULLY TO BOOT,, HOW DARE YOU TELL SOME ONE TO MOVE OUT IF THEY DONT LIKE IT,,, I AM SURE IF THAT PERSON WERE PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY CAPABLE , THEY WOULD HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM HERE AND PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF A LONG TIME AGO... IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU SMALL MINDED MINORITY GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TO ENDURE FURTHER WAITING AND MISERY WHILE ALL THE TOTALLY UN-NECESSARY AVENUES OF RED TAPE HAVE TO BE VISITED TO WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL GIVE THE MAJORITY OF TENANTS WHAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO INSTEAD OF THESE PRE-DATED RUN DOWN UNHEALTHY OVER EXAGERATED SHEDS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN FOR FREE TO LIVE IN AND NOT HAVE TO PAY RENT FOR,,, AMAZING THAT PEOPLE IN 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES ACTUALLY MANAGE TO BE GIVEN BETTER SHELTER THAN THESE PREFABS TO LIVE IN

HEY , I JUST THOUGHT THAT I WOULD MAKE A POINT IN WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE AN ISSUE TO ME MY FAMILY AND TO MANY TENANTS,,, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT GET TO BE GIVEN MUCH NOTICE WHEN THE PREFABS ARE RELATED TO BY NEWSPAPERS OR EVEN WHEN THE HAVE APPEARED ON TELEVISION..
THESE PREFABS ARE OF A STEEL FRAMED STRUCTURE AND FULLY CLADDED WITH AN ASBESTOS BOARD ALL AROUND THE ENTIRE HOME ON EACH AND EVERY PREFAB ON THE ESTATE.... NOW I CAN ONLY SPEAK OF WHAT I HAVE NOTICED IN MY OWN HOME AND I THEREFORE IMAGINE HAS POSSIBLY HAPPENED IN EVERY OTHER HOME,,, OUR HOMES WERE RECENTLY FITTED WITH NEW CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS,,,WELL OVER THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS,,, WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE ASBESTOS USED IN OUR HOMES IS SAFE UNLESS IT IS INTERFERED WITH IN ANY WAY THAT MAY CAUSE A DUST TO ESCAPE INTO THE AIR,,, WELL WHEN THESE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS WERE FITTED THE ESTATE MANAGEMENT OPTED FOR A CHEAPEST POSSIBLE WAY TO HAVE THESE SYSTEMS INSTALLED WITHOUT REGARD FOR OUR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH,,, DURING WORKS ON ASBESTOS THERE ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH REGULATE HOW WHEN DEALING WITH THESE MATERIALS CERTAIN PROCEDURES SHOULD AND MUST BE ADHERED TO,, SO I ASK,,, WHY WHEN THESE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS WERE INSTALLED WERE THERE NO APPARENT SAFETY MEASURES TAKEN,, ON THE INSTALLATION OF EACH AND EVERY RADIATOR,, EVERY PIPE INSTALLED AND EVEN THE BOILER INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD HAVE CREATED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF ASBESTOS IN EACH AND EVERY HOME,, ALL THESE WORKS WERE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT ANT REGARD FOR OUR HEALTH IN RELATION TO ASBESTOS PROPERTIES IN THE AIR WHICH WOULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN CREATED AT TIME OF THESE SAID WORKS,,,

In reply to Lorraine Pearmain's letter titled... Listing is a "privilege". .MERCURY NEWS. Wed 29th October..

I am going to reply to each comment briefly and just as respectfully as she was, so read carefully......
I have loved mine too... doesnt mean i wish to stay here forever,iI cannot wait to see them knocked down,i just wish i had the option of driving the bulldozer, as god knows,,the prefabs shouldnt stay forever either,, they should have been bulldozed years ago...and now my family and many like minded families are looking forward to getting out of these rotten outdated rundown very badly maintained buildings that the management have failed to keep in good condition. This is not my fault or that of any other residents here,, lets face it, sometimes when even the grandest of buildings have become so badly rundown it becomes fact that the kindest thing to do for all concerned is demolition...
Worthless assets is exactly what they are,,thats why the other 150,000 or so of them in the country were bulldozed many years ago,,even the travelling community would be disgusted if they were forced to stay in these prefabs which would be of a much poorer standard of quality than what thier caravans are.. So wake up and smell the coffee Lorraine and also the so called worried tenants group ,, it is perfectly fine for you and those of you that have actually got more than enough space than what you actually need... according to certain guidelines,, but that still doesnt mean because you are happy that everybody else has to be .

If you welcome listing you are ridiculously foolish,you have got more chance of keeping your property as it is the way you want it at present so that you can continue to love yours,or is it that you and yours do not understand the meaning of listing....i think not... how many original features are left on your prefab?
If as you have stated,you would rather trust a heritage society than a land-grabbing housing association,then why is it that you still live here :-)... and have done so for many years.

You said.. and i quote... "there are people who want to move off the estate - mostly those claiming benefits and promised a few grand in moving expenses. "

It is quite difficult to comment on this statement as i do not have the full details of every tenant/family on the estate.what i do know is that YOU certainly DO NOT EITHER.
what i do know for certain is that there ARE hard working people/tenants who can not afford to buy thier own home or even pay a rent to a private landlord,even in todays current market,perhaps thier situation differs from yours,they have families to raise , dont they.!

I am glad to be in a position where i can work and raise my child,i know there are families bigger than mine and yours on this estate.oh silly me,
you dont have a family to raise do you,as there is only you and your partner you have more than adaquate space at home,
In regards to peoples BENEFITS or other means of income,,that is none of yours or my business,i am sure most folk would rather earn a decent days salary than have to worry about struggling and counting pennies... lets face it people with families have to spend thier monies on thier families,, do you...? oops ..there i go again , you dont ...! Not only that , many tenants on this estate have been forced to do maintenance work on thier homes, both inside and out,, works that the management ARE responsible for but never do anything about. Even people on benefits are forced to spend what little they have just so that thier homes dont fall into further disrepair and neglect,, money that would be better spent on food,clothing or even warmth... how totally ignorant of you to decide that people with families or on benefits want to move just for a bit of money,,, i say to you this, if it were not for families this country would be in a very bad way,, benefits or not families pay more dues to this country than what single people or even couples living in accomadation which is surplus to requirements. Nevertheless, have you not read your offer document,? you will still be offered more than you actually need, to you and those of you that stand in the way of progress and other peoples happiness i hope that life gets you back for the disrupt that you have caused and are still causing to the lives of those that fully understand and appreciate the need for good decent homes which have been a long time coming...

Now, to say this and i quote..."The reality is they should never have taken properties offered if they were going to have more children, knowing if their homes were damp and not drylined their health would suffer. " end quote. Let me first say, i am disgusted by your ignorance and bad attitude...who gives you any rights to comment on peoples personal lives. Let me remind you. WE LIVE IN ENGLAND,,,NOT CHINA. We have what is called human rights and a lot more in this country which allows us to live as we so wish, not to suit the ignorance of others,, this is a democratic country NOT a communist state under a dictators rule. People in this country are allowed to have as many children as physically possible, and guess what,, it is of absolutely no business of yours or anybody else's. Further more, please do tell how it is possible for the general public who know nothing of building and construction to tell how they can see into the future before moving into thier home ANYWHERE and determine that a building would cause bad health either from damp or even from the very substance or construction that they are built from... im so very sorry to you and all that knew everything about the damp,badly ventillated,cold,dra
ughty buildings that you were very much aware of BEFORE you moved in AFTER you had to sign a tenancy agreement BEFORE you could move in .... well i take it that that is not a lot of you then....!!
I struggle to understand Lorraine,, when a person or even more importantly a family ( who are not financially secure )are offered a home in which they have been waiting for , and in some cases that is years,,, how is it that they go about the procedure of determining the soundness of the structure, the soundness of pipes , electrics and so on... it appears to me that most people that know about those things and all the important things are either called surveyors and in some cases for certain buildings structural engineers,,, are you keeping up..? well then tell me this then.. how many people on low incomes or benefits can actually afford to pay even the most basic rates that these people charge... or is it that the local authority should actually ensure the soundness of a property before letting it to a tenant... i do hope that you are still keeping up ( Lorraine ) finally... before i finish,, i do hope that i have not challanged your intelligence..OOP's there i go again... i meant to say IGNORANCE and ABBHORENCE... but let me ask you this,,, taking all what i have mentioned in response to your original posting,, can you please tell how when many of us moved into these said homes , how was it then that we were ever supposed to know that
1... These properties were going to be put forward for regeneration
2... That the government would draft a document stating that ALL homes must meet a stringent guideline by the year 2010...
As this said document ( government guidelines ) was only drafted in these past few years, how could we ever have known that these well out of date mismanaged homes ( no blame intended to any tenant of which have done thier best as they could possibly do ) and totally neglected by the council and our management office would have ever or could have ever known everything that was around the corner,,, could we Lorraine,,, have you got a crystal ball that can see years into the future,,, i dont think so,, cos after all Lorraine you do actually live here on this estate and i would wage a bet that even you could not have ever known that the government would have decided upon this said document which has not actually come soon enough for most of us that live here....
just a brief reminder,, these buildings were only supposed to be here for a maximum of 15 years,,, it is not a moment too soon that these have come up for demolition for the majority on this estate..and even that is said by many others that have not the need for extra rooms,, just a good quality decent home is all they have longed for for a long time... it is people like you and the rest of the worried tenants group that have been upsetting everybody else's chance of a quality home to live in.
Dearest Lorraine,,, there are numerous people on this estate that are deluded just as you appear to be,, prefabs were never EVER going to replace the likes of brick built homes,, would you like to get in a boxing ring with someone like Mike Tyson,,,i dont think so,,,and i believe the reason is obvious,,, just like taking on an organisation like the council,,,, it is really not worth fighting over,,, If i were in a ring with Tyson i would lie down on the floor after the first punch wether or not i had to,,, what i am getting at is sometimes in any battle you need to know when you are beaten, and when you know and understand when to do that it will help reduce the added injuries and get you back to knowing that at least you tried ,,, but thinking about it in another perspective , to be more clear if i am not clear enough already,,, Lewisham council,,, please knock these flatpacks down,,,sooner the better

I LIVE IN PERSANT ROAD THERE IS NO POINT IN ASKING THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP TO STOP TELLING LIES (AS I HAVE ASKED JIM BLACKENDER OFTEN) BECAUSE THEY REPLACE LIES WITH MORE LIES SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THESE COMMENTS. THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP WANT YOU TO BELIEVE THAT THEY SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ALL TENANTS ON THE ESTATE ***THEY DO NOT*** THE TRUTH IS THEY ARE TINY MINORITY NO ONE HAS VOTED THEM TO REPRESENT US IN FACT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED FOR MY VEIWS AND IN THE MANY MEETINGS L&Q TO HELP DESIGN THE NEW ESTATE IHAVE NEVER SEEN JIM BLACKENDER OR ANY OF HIS BULLIES AT ANY OF THEM I AM DISABLED WITH NEUROPATHY (A DISABILITY THAT STRIKES OVERNIGHT I WAS NOT DISABLED WHEN I MOVED IN) I HAVE BEEN GARANTEED A BRAND NEW BUNGALOW THAT IS DESINGED TO MEET MY NEEDS I ALONG WITH L&Q HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLAN THE LAYOUT AND COLOUR OF MY KITCHIN AND BATHROOM (AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BATH ON MY OWN PLEASE UNDERSTAND HOW DEGRADING IT IS TO HAVE TO CALL THE SURGERY TO ASK FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND HELP ME HAVE A BATH OFTEN WITH PEOPLE I HAVE NEVER MET) IN MY NEW BATHROOM IAM GETTING A WALK IN BATH IAM SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND MY JOY AND RELEIF WITH THIS. ALSO JIM HAS SAID ON MANY MANY WEBSITES AND LOCAL NEWSPAPERS THAT THE ESTATE IS SAFE AND CRIME FREE. IF JIM TRUELY BELIVES THIS.I WOULD BE GRATEFUL TO JIM TO TELL YOU WHY HE HAS A LARGE SIGN OUTSIDE HIS PREFAB WARNING PEOPLE THAT HIS HAS 24HR CCTV AND HE WILL ALWAYS PROSECUTE. UNLESS HE THINKS LIKE HE OFTEN STATES THAT LEWISHAM COUNCIL WILL CARRY OUT REPRISALS ON THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP NOW.DOES ANY ONE TRUELY BELIEVE THAT AL CAPONE IS ALIVE AND WELL AND WORKS FOR LEWISHAM COUNCIL HOUSING DEPARTMENT PLEASE CONSIDER THESE COMMENTS THANK YOU

very well said karen,what a lot of rubbish the worried tenants group have been coming out with,, these dime bars are totally neglecting the needs and requirements of yours, mine and every other resident on this estate... considering that L&Q are offering somewhat more of a chance of comfortable living , they are bang out of order and do not have any rights to speak out for and on behalf of every resident on this estate, they are trespassing on everybodys property on the estate and simply littering. they should be told to stick to thier own property and stay off every other property that they have no rights to. the letters that they are posting are not even worth wiping my back side as there is already so much crap on it.... hey people,, why dont you drop into this website sometime,,all comments regarding the prefab situation are welcome...you are welcome to really speak your mind,,,you might even enjoy yourself as it is always good to let off steam...http://the-e
xcalibur-prefabs-est
ate-catford.webs.com

I AM SORRY BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE COMMENTS ABOVE THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP CONSTANTLY CLAIM THAT IT IS A FACT THAT 88% OF THE TENANTS WILL VOTE NO AND THAT LEWISHAM COUNCIL HAVE DEPRIVED THEM OF THIER DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS.IF THEY TRUELY BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE AN OVERWELMING NO VOTE.WHAT POSSIBLE REASON CAN THEY HAVE FOR NOT DEMANDING AN EMEDIATE VOTE. IN ORDER THAT A NO VOTE WOULD END THE STOCK TRANSFER ONCE AND FOR ALL. THEY DO NOT DEMAND A VOTE BECAUSE THEY NO THEY WILL LOSE.SO AS YOU THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP AS YOU OFTEN SAY.WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY

I AM SORRY BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE COMMENTS ABOVE THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP CONSTANTLY CLAIM THAT IT IS A FACT THAT 88% OF THE TENANTS WILL VOTE NO AND THAT LEWISHAM COUNCIL HAVE DEPRIVED THEM OF THIER DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS.IF THEY TRUELY BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE AN OVERWELMING NO VOTE.WHAT POSSIBLE REASON CAN THEY HAVE FOR NOT DEMANDING AN EMEDIATE VOTE. IN ORDER THAT A NO VOTE WOULD END THE STOCK TRANSFER ONCE AND FOR ALL. THEY DO NOT DEMAND A VOTE BECAUSE THEY NO THEY WILL LOSE.SO AS YOU THE WORRIED TENANTS GROUP AS YOU OFTEN SAY.WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY

hello bulldozer driver and all the other fair minded residents on the estate. i used to get upset by the abuse and insults from the worried tenants group towards any one who dared to disagree with them (like dawns narrow minded bigot) allthough to be fair to newshopper the most vile have appeared on other sites. but my daughter has pointed out to me that it is a good thing because it shows people who do not live here the type of people they are. i do believe that jim blackender has done an excelent campaign on behalf of his cause. however he must be pulling his hair out. because people are realising that he only represents only a handfull of people and that his campaign is built on lies and untruths. and as the saying goes any publicity is good publicity, but i bet he wishes the rest of the bullies in his gang, would just shut the **** up also a message to jim, who says people who do not live on the estate should keep their opinions to theirselves (south london press & mercury)i wonder how he sees it fair to plead for people from all over the world to sign their failed pertition (people who dont live on the estate,or in london, or indeed in this country) jim your time is running out, and i just hope you can accept the outcome in the manor all sides have promissed they would thank you karen