Film to be shown at housing estate in call for action

A film highlighting conditions on a Rotherham estate is to be projected onto the front of derelict housing blocks which residents say are blighting their lives.

The Little London estate at Maltby has 138 homes but two blocks have lain empty for almost a decade.

People living in the area say the dilapidated buildings attract rats and anti-social behaviour and hope screening the film, Big Power for Little London, will prompt the landlord to take action.

In a statement, property owner Rivergrove said a "substantial amount of time, work and expense" had been incurred planning the future of the last two derelict blocks.

Aaron Fuller, from the Big Power for Little London campaign group, said: "I was watching my five year-old lad riding his bike back and forth outside the neglected derelict houses on our street, and it hit me right in the gut; this is what he’s known his whole life.

“He doesn’t know that he deserves better than growing up opposite a dangerous, derelict site, strewn with broken glass, that attracts rats and anti-social behaviour.

"But he does deserve better, and so does every other child on this estate."

The campaign group said its requests for a meeting with the landlord had been ignored.

The call for action has been supported by the leader of Rotherham Council, Chris Read, who said: "Some of the conditions on the estate are genuinely shocking and they're quite right to be standing up for their rights.

"I'm glad to have been invited to work with them to improve the area and I'm looking forward to seeing the film and hearing from more members of the community."

Rivergrove said the firm "has a qualified recognised managing agent looking after their tenanted properties".

"All complaints are dealt with in a professional manner," the spokesperson added.

"It is a shame we are being tarnished by grievances that are being aired by tenants of other landlords.

"These are being publicised and reported on by the press, giving a bad impression of our company Rivergrove Ltd.

"Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been invested and spent by Rivergrove Ltd over the last few years to improve the area and maintain the living conditions of our tenants on this estate.

"A substantial amount of time, work and expense has been incurred in the planning of the future of the remaining two derelict blocks, with the final details to be decided on shortly.”

The film, which was was produced by think tank the New Economics Foundation, is due to be screened at 18:00 GMT on Tuesday.

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