Councillors voiced their fears of creating ‘a ghetto’ in Carlton if too many elderly people were given flatlets in a multi-storey block which was to be have erected in the district.
The claim was made by two councillors at a meeting of the urban authority’s Housing Committee during discussions on the proposed flats at Walton Crescent, recorded by the Nottingham Guardian Journal in an edition dated April 12, 1969.
A letter was read from Notts County Council approving Carlton Urban Council’s plans to include a group dwelling scheme for the elderly within the block using 19 flats out of the 74 available.
Answering suggestions that the number of flats for the elderly should be increased, Coun. A. Palmer said: “It would be a mistake to group too many together. We could be starting a ghetto of the future.”
He was backed by Coun. J. Rolfe.
However, Coun, Alfred Wheldon deplored the use of the word” ghetto.”
He said :”Do not compare Carlton with Warsaw or New York.”
Coun. T. N. Leighton was also critical of this suggestion.
“We are nowhere near to a ghetto,” he said.
“The old people want to be grouped together because they like their own company rather than being among the young.”
When the issue was put to the vote, it was decided to agree to the initial figure of 19, but to ask the County Council to consider an increase to the number of flats available to the elderly.
Hmmm….truth often hurts. This block is a ghwpetto, now full of drug addicts and alcoholics. They can be seen trooping out early morning to fetch their beer and spirits from Tescos or as is often the case, going up Greenhill Rise to Church Street, the phone call has been made and in 10 mins time, sure enough car pulls up, lean in, job done and then back down to these flats. I’ve witnessed it as I reside on Church St. I’ve followed them, shamed them but still they troop up here. Yep this block is full of the undesirables. Talk about keeping your eggs in one basket! What was said would happen in 69? Well you decide. Now the other block….full of old folk, not one problem. Are you going to remove yet another comment? What’s the matter…don’t like truthful honest facts?
It’s not a very attractive building but the area is prime for more mid-to-high density flats, with frequent busses to the city. Preferably nicer ones that bring in young professionals to the area and help improve some of the businesses around. I would also suggest improving the cycling access towards Netherfeild as the roads and pavements are cramped and a bit of a mess. It doesn’t make sense to me that the Carlton high street is at the very top of the hill which isn’t very accessible to pedestrians, especially elderly ones.