Estate of decline

Former residents recall happy times at 'Lanky Hill' - before its problems began

- PEOPLE living on a giant estate in one of Greater Manchester's most desirable boroughs have recently spoken of its 'decline' with some saying they're now desperate to get out.

Residents of the Lancashire Hill estate in Reddish South, Stockport, have complained about long-standing issues including anti-social behaviour and necessary repairs being left undone.

One 54-year old tenant, who has lived there all their lives, told the M.E.N: "It used to be nice here but it's not now. We need people that want to be here, not people who are dumped here." Another resident said he wanted to "get out as quickly as possible" But despite the problems people living there are facing, some who grew up on the estate remember a very different place.

Construction of Lancashire Hill began in 1968. The estate was part of a major redevelopment of Stockport to transform the Tame Valley and Lancashire Hill areas of the town.

With building work well under way, a story in the Manchester Evening News in September 1968 reported on the ambitious projects being undertaken in the town, including the creation of the Merseyway shopping centre and Lancashire Hill. Scores of slum terraced houses had been demolished to build the estate dubbed 'a town within a town!

Using the Jespersen system of prefabricated parts and precast concrete panels, two 22-storey tower blocks of council flats with adjoining maisonettes with decked access and connection bridges were built. The towers named Pendlebury and Hanover still stand, alongside blocks called Stonemill Terrace, The Longsons and The Bentleys. Built at one of the highest points in the town, Lancashire Hill was lauded at the time as Stockport's biggest ever housing project, aiming to provide homes for 2,000 people.

Other amenities included landscaped green areas, shops and car parking. There were also two pubs built at either end of the estate - the Nicholson's Arms and the Nip Inn.

With spectacular views of industrial Stockport, the distant Derbyshire hills, and to the east, uninterrupted views of Manchester, by 1970 most of the flats had been let.