Inverness Road

Ipswich: Storm of protest over calls to tear down post-war prefabs

By Paul Geater Tuesday, March 12, 2013
7:00 AM

CALLS to redevelop part of the Rushmere estate by knocking down the post-war prefabs in the area have provoked a storm of protest.

Tenants, former tenants, and owners of the homes have contacted The Star after hearing local councillor Judy Terry suggesting that the prefabs could be redeveloped.

The homes started to go up in 1947 as the post-war government was desperate to provide homes for those returning from the war.

They were designed to have a life of between 10 and 15 years – but more than 65 years on and after being repaired and refurbished they are still home to many people.

And the overwhelming majority of people are keen to seen the homes remain.

Fans of our Facebook page have been sharing their thoughts on the matter, with many supporting the tenants who want to stay in their homes.

Ed Straker said: “Is that worth spending time and money on? They have been there for 60 years. All are well maintained. Ms Terry: prioritise!

Agreeing, Dave Jenner added: “They are lovely properties, my mate lives in one, leave them alone I say.”

And Tracey Caraccio shared her views, saying: “My nan lives in one of these and has done since they were built lovely properties and a nice area leave them be try looking at other areas that are run down.”

However Theresa Dawson said: “They are not all maintained well, knock them down.”

Comments to our website www.ipswichstar.co.uk were also overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the prefabs.

“Greendigit” said: “These bungalows are perfect for a lot of us who live in them. Yes some have problems but build a house that doesn’t have and I’m sure you’ll find someone to complain about it. I have been here for seven years now and have loved it.”

Should the prefabs be retained – or would it be better to redevelop the area? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk

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3 comments

A point i would like to rise is that there are also a lack of bungalows available for those who need them in social housing. Taking these away will have a huge impact on us that need them and make the battle to get one all the harder in the future. You will also find that quite a few of us in these prefabs are regular outpatients to Ipswich hospital and being in such a close proximity as we are saves alot in stress of travelling and time management etc, we are close to what we depend on. The last thing we need is to be moved further away which will just make our lives harder to live and more stressfull. Thats not even taking into account what type of property we would be offered and how that will effect us physically aswell as mentally.

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Greendigit

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Should we be arguing that the buildings we care about have “emotional durability”? This says it all..... http:www.c20society.org.uk201302 "......Chapman argues “against the ‘box-fresh’ ideal” noting that “from grandma’s walking stick with the worn handle to the key chipped paint around the car door handle, ageing material surfaces narrate tell-tale signs of life by embodying the user within the object.” He argues in favour of “ objects with potent sensory and emotional resonance”, and for ones that can gradually accumulate growing stories. Surely many of the buildings we care about could be said to have these attributes, albeit that they are frequently overlooked? Maybe many fall from favour because we think modernist objects (including buildings) are meant to look crisp and totally new? “Perhaps the inefficient motor in the 1950s fridge simply needs replacing with a newer and more efficient one which, like a heart transplant, might afford the old fridge a new lease of life” suggests Chapman. This is much the same as calling for new services and kitchensbathrooms at Robin Hood Gardens or the Heygate Estate. If we now know the history of that fridge in the family (the meals its held over the years etc), and the curvy shape we associate with that passage of time make us feel good, can we begin to realise that buildings like these may have a similar “emotional durability” which we squander to our great dis-service?"

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SOCS

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
What happened to "Billysmums" (who lives there)'s wonderful early comment and the others which first came up? I though his comment was so moving and well written Can we have those comments displayed and be put back for the record please? They could be uploaded to your Facebook at least...

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SOCS

Tuesday, March 12, 2013