Bristol's Knowle West is on the brink of massive change
Knowle West, one of the worst unemployment blackspots in the South West with some of the worst social deprivation in the country, is on the brink of massive change.
Political Editor IAN ONIONS looks at the issues.
YOU don't have to spend long in Knowle West to realise this area of the city is in dire need of change.
Boarded-up shops, litter blowing down the streets and parts of an old car lying in a patch of wasteland which was once supposed to be a park.
This is Knowle West in the year 2010, a wasteland in every sense of the word because it has suffered so badly from lack of investment and support for decades.
The city council and government agencies keep throwing money at various projects to try to help the community and improve the quality of people's lives.
Some of these schemes have had varying degrees of success but let's face it, they are only scratching at the surface.
If you are really going to bring about the kind of change that is going to drill down to the root causes of high unemployment, high crime, drug addiction, antisocial behaviour and appalling underachievement by the area's youngsters, not to mention poor health and people not living so long, then the change needs to be on a massive scale.
But where do you start? Where do you begin to unpick the issues that have prevailed for donkey's years and try to build a new future for Knowle West?
The process actually began 18 months ago when council officials began consulting with local people to create a vision for the future.
That process has finished and the objectives for the area until 2030 have been clearly spelt out.
The next stage is to get down to the nitty gritty and decide how best these aims should be achieved. To this end, the council has laid out a number of options to gauge people's reaction and forge a common future goal.
Some of these options are drastic, suggesting the demolition of hundreds of homes, mostly at Inns Court.
But the council argues that drastic measures are the only way for an area like Knowle West to climb the mountain of change which is so desperately needed.
They also point out that you won't reverse a downward spiral of decay into an upward one of prosperity without investment by private enterprise. We're talking here about developers being encouraged to build hundreds, if not thousands, of new homes.
The argument is that if developers can be enticed into Knowle West and create a mix of private homeowners as well as council tenants, it will help to improve land values in this area of Bristol where a three-bed semi can still be bought for less than £100,000.
If land values increase, then homeowners – who are usually wage earners – are more likely to buy a house there, creating a demand for shops, schools and community facilities.
Private investment is not the only answer for Knowle West, just one major part of a very big jigsaw. It also needs government support – the council says it would need at least £100 million – to help with the regeneration of this area during the next two decades.
This money would not be used to build new homes but provide the infrastructure such as improved roads, landscaping, better community facilities, greenways and boulevards, to create the incentive for private developers to invest.
It sounds like a joke to think of the Government shelling out £100m for one suburb of the country when we are told nearly everyday that massive public spending cuts are in the offing.
But council officials believe that if all the decisions can be made now, then when the economy changes for the better, we will be in pole position to bid for the funding that is needed.
It is also worth bearing in mind two other points. All of the £100m is not needed in one go – the funding would be needed in phases during the next two decades. Secondly, it's now fashionable among politicians of all political parties to talk about "localism" – putting communities in the driving seat when deciding their futures.
Perhaps the biggest part of the jigsaw is to convince people who live in the area to invest in the future, which could include the upheaval and stress of seeing their home demolished and moving to a new one.
It will come as no surprise if the older generation show the greatest resistance to change.
But families who live in Knowle West might take the view that if their children are going to end up with a brighter future instead of a life on benefits, then demolishing their home and moving to a new one might be a small price to pay.
You only have to see what has happened in Horfield to recognise that wholesale demolition and rebuild can work. Unlike Knowle West where houses are generally structurally sound, the council houses in Horfield were suffering from concrete cancer and as a result were uneconomic to repair.
A non-profit making organisation was created to enter into a partnership with a private developer so that half of the 1,000 homes were provided at affordable rents while the rest were privately sold on the open market.
Knowle West falls across three wards of the city – Knowle, Windmill Hill and Hartcliffe – and all six of the ward councillors, both Liberal Democrat and Labour, are fully in support of wholesale change for the area.
Drop-in sessions began yesterday for people who could be affected by house demolition so the options can be explained to them and they can form a view about what they think is best.
During the next few weeks, people will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and put forward their views. Once these have been collected, the council will draw up the option which meets with most people's approval. This will be put before the council's ruling cabinet for adoption as a masterplan for Knowle West's future.
● Drop-in sessions will be held for people who live in Knowle West between noon-8pm on: Wednesday, October 14, the Mede Centre, Marshall Walk, Inns Court;
Thursday, October 15, Filwood Broadway Social Centre, Barnstaple Road, Filwood;
Friday, October 16, Park Centre, Daventry Road, Knowle;
Saturday, October 17, Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West.
The plans can also be seen at the Park Local Opportunity Centre, Daventry Road, from October 19-29, 8am-10pm weekdays and 9am-4pm, weekends.
People can also talk to council officers at the Community in Partnership premises, 37, Filwood Broadway (contact Anita Pearce on 908 4248), or they can ring the Knowle West helpline on 0800 073 0559 or visit www.bristol.gov.uk/kwrf for more information.
12 Comments
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by colin, Bristol
Wednesday, October 06 2010, 2:35AM
“You are dead right there Rose, It is attitude. Change the attitude of some of the people living there who think they can do as they please without getting a job. And then you have the people who are paid by the gov. to try and fix the problem, who to justify their jobs come out with what Rose is saying now. Knowle west has always been a place to stay away from for over 50 years to my knowledge, and its still the same now. Start offerring them WORK, and if they will not work, STOP THEIR DOLE. and kick them out. There are a lot of good people living in Knowle to whom this letter doe;s not apply, you know who you are so no need to reply. Its no good throwing good money away in Knowle, so clean out the trash first.”
by NorthernRose, Redland
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 8:13PM
“As someone who has worked in Knowle West for the past 18 months, I feel the change that would benefit our community the most is a change in attitude: the attitude that the area is populated with wasters, drug-dealers and benefit-scroungers. It would be so refreshing to see an effort being made to understand the people who live here - recognising their achievements as well as their problems ¿ and not reverting to judgemental stereotypes that perpetuate the idea of 'them and us'.
I work with young people from Knowle West and other areas of South Bristol labelled as ¿deprived¿ and they are motivated, creative and enthusiastic about their prospects; implying that they are all 'appalling' underachievers is neither constructive nor true and it does them a great disservice. I have found Knowle West to be a very accepting and friendly place and there are numerous individuals and organisations working tremendously hard to improve things for the community.
Regurgitating familiar stereotypes - which, I am sad to see, this article is littered with - does nothing to dispel negative perceptions of Knowle West. I do not deny that there are issues within the community, as the statistics for unemployment, health and crime illustrate, but there are ways of presenting them that do not demean the people who live here. Sadly, your article does not opt for that approach, choosing sensationalism over the opportunity to empower and encourage our community to build a better future for itself.
Knowle West is already isolated from the rest of Bristol due to its geography; please don¿t let careless words and prejudice isolate it any further.”
by NorthernRose, Redland
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 8:11PM
“As someone who has worked in Knowle West for the past 18 months, I feel the change that would benefit our community the most is a change in attitude: the attitude that the area is populated with wasters, drug-dealers and benefit-scroungers. It would be so refreshing to see an effort being made to understand the people who live here - recognising their achievements as well as their problems ¿ and not reverting to judgemental stereotypes that perpetuate the idea of 'them and us'.
I work with young people from Knowle West and other areas of South Bristol labelled as ¿deprived¿ and they are motivated, creative and enthusiastic about their prospects; implying that they are all 'appalling' underachievers is neither constructive nor true and it does them a great disservice. I have found Knowle West to be a very accepting and friendly place and there are numerous individuals and organisations working tremendously hard to improve things for the community.
Regurgitating familiar stereotypes - which, I am sad to see, this article is littered with - does nothing to dispel negative perceptions of Knowle West. I do not deny that there are issues within the community, as the statistics for unemployment, health and crime illustrate, but there are ways of presenting them that do not demean the people who live here. Sadly, your article does not opt for that approach, choosing sensationalism over the opportunity to empower and encourage our community to build a better future for itself.
Knowle West is already isolated from the rest of Bristol due to its geography; please don¿t let careless words and prejudice isolate it any further.”
by trish, bristol
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 8:11PM
“wendy from sussex cant spell did she go to school in knowle west.....”
by vicky pollard, nowell
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 5:16PM
“i b goin to my counsul ouse tomorow an as for a transfur to artclif, they got a beter clas of chads over ther”
by Wendy, Sussex
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 2:51PM
“I and my family grew up in Knowle West. I believe that everyone is aware if you put lots of Rats in a confined space, then they will turn on each other, fight and then eat the defeated...
Too many people in a too small a place. It DOES NOT need yet more money thrown at it, but the input of ALL.
I, myself improved when I left the area, although never in "trouble", we were surrounded by it and it DOES rub off if thats all you see in everyday life. If I needed to move back for any reason (god forbid) I would loose the will to live if all I saw was muck and filth all around me. Try cleaning up some key areas for Children to play or meet. Also the adults!... I do wish you all well!!!!!!!”
by lord m, bslltltl
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 1:39PM
“i think that the council should be looking to build houses, but maintain ownership of the land. then the houses can be built without this cost, and buying a quality house will be cheaper. also people could own the house without huge mortgage payments for years, and so areas wouldn't be so economically stratified. the council can also collect rent on the land and use it to improve services (which will also increase the rental value of their land). finally it would shield people from land price collapse.
this may be a good opportunity to try something new.”
by filton gas, filton
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 1:30PM
“ws bristol i agree totally with you that way thugs from knowle west won't be wondering north of the border and then theres less chance of being a victim of crime from my side of bristol plus i have always wanted a reason to say i love the smell of napalm in the morning”
by Emily, Filwood
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 1:09PM
“This article is wrong in so many ways, yes we may well suffer social deprivation in Filwood which is the ward that covers most of what is known as Knowle west, but to make the area out as one where everyone is on benefits and the kids have poor schooling is awful.
My children attend a school in the heart of Filwood who's Ofsted reports are GOOD to OUTSTANDING. Educated myself in Filwood I have a good degree from Bristol University, I also work along with many other residents in the area. So it is not true that our children with automatically be on benefits.
I also feel that the area does need some change and hope that what ever amount of houses they have in mind to build have the facilities needed for the increase in population that would ultimately result from it.
I urge as many of my fellow Filwood neighbours to get yourself down to one of the consultation events and ensure your thoughts are noted. Too many times Filwood has had decisions made by a few in the know that actually its about time we let them know exactly what we want and need.”
by Redferryman, BS2 0JB
Tuesday, October 05 2010, 11:40AM
“This is a massive, ambitious issue to address and the City Council should be commended for confronting the situation. But it is long overdue, and, in the present economic climate, the provision of funds to upgrade the civic infrastructure of a deprived community, is unlikely to be met entirely by Local or Central Government financing. The private sector must be encouraged to participate.
Although I am not intimately familiar with Knowle West, I have occassionally had cause to pass through the area.
It is evident that there exists deep-seated socio-economic problems which have extended back over a generation. So, the "quick-fix" cures often favoured by politicians frequently result in providing, at best, superficial solutions. Clearly, a more sustainable, longer-term plan must be pursued.
It is therefore ironic that, at a time when the City Council are prepared to address the issue of regenerating Knowle West, a separate, yet intrinsically related project - ie the Ashton Vale Stadium - is in serious jeopardy of being rejected, arguably, on the basis of a debate on the dubious value of a landfill site!
The undoubted economic benefits of the Stadium to South Bristol have been recognized by numerous bodies from commerce, industry and the business community, as well as local government. Members of the general public have expressed support in their thousands for this Stadium scheme.
And the Stadium project is being financed entirely from private means!
When we have an area such as Knowle West experiencing such big problems associated with social deprivation - poor housing, high unemployment, poor schooling, high crime rates and, of equal importance, low civic pride and self-esteem in one's neighbourhood - it would seem obvious that the Stadium project can provide a catalyst in assisting in the regeneration of Knowle West. The Stadium may not provide a solution - but it may make positive contribution to the problem!
Let's not risk losing this opportunity to help the wider community.”