History of Broadwater Farm
Below is a list of some of the key dates in Broadwater Farm’s history from its construction to the present day showing just how much things have changed!
| Time line | |
|---|---|
Date | Event |
| 1967 | Construction of the estate, to provide 1063 properties, begins, and will be fully occupied by 1973. A key feature is a system of walkways linking all blocks at first floor (deck) level. No habitable rooms are provided at ground level due to the high water table. |
| 1976 | Design faults and lack of amenities become apparent. Fifty three per cent of tenants refuse offers of accommodation at Broadwater Farm and there is a long queue of existing tenants waiting to be transferred from it. |
| 1981 | The process of re-generation begins and it is spearheaded by residents. |
| 1983 | Neighbourhood Office opens. Housing services staff are based on the estate to deal with day-to-day housing issues. |
| 1985 | Tensions between the youth and the police give rise to civil disturbances. Broadwater Farm’s notorious image of a violent and troubled estate begins to form. |
| 1987 | Broadwater Farm Residents’ Association formed. |
| 1990 | Ecumenical Group is formed, following monthly prayer meetings since 1985 at Moselle School and then at the estate’s social club. |
| 1992 | The Broadwater Community Centre and the Broadwater Farm Enterprise Centre open. |
| 1993 | Urban regeneration funds amounting to £33 million are allocated to start an 8-year Estate Action Programme to renovate the estate. |
| 1996 | Mr. Motivator opens Broadwater Farm Community Health Centre. Ghana Union formed. |
| 1997 | Better Life for Women and Families formed. |
| 2000 | Opportunities Centre opens. |
| 2001 | Haringey Council moves towards neighbourhood management in response to the Government’s National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. The Council undergoes a major restructuring, establishing a new division for Neighbourhood Management. Broadwater Farm is identified as a priority neighbourhood. |
| 2002 | Estate Action Programme (EAP) ends. First Annual General Meeting of Broadwater Farm Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) takes place. The TMO is in its development stage and not yet operational. |
| 2003 | Newlon Housing Trust build 12 houses on land purchased from Haringey Council. Work begins on a 104 place nursery / children’s centre. The Enterprise Centre submits a bid in partnership with the local community and the council, under the Community Economic Development programme, to refurbish and extend its premises and to offer support and opportunities for job seekers and the self employed. Better Life for Women and Families submits a bid under the same programme to provide childcare training. Broadwater Women’s Forum is formed on 8th March - International Women’s Day. Following consultation with local residents, a road on the new site is named ‘Grant Close’, in memory of the late Bernie Grant MP. African Cultural Group and United Support of People in Need Association are formed. |
| 2004 | Work begins on a 104 place nursery / children’s centre. The Enterprise Centre submits a bid in partnership with the local community and the council, under the Community Economic Development programme, to refurbish and extend its premises and to offer support and opportunities for job seekers and the self employed. Better Life for Women and Families submits a bid under the same programme to provide childcare training. |
| 2007 |
A funding application by Haringey Council to the Heritage Lottery fund is accepted for capital investment towards funding the transformation and redevelopment of Lordship Rec park which is located next to the estate. The regeneration plans for the park include the following improvement projects:
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| 2009 | The Council announces that work will begin on creating an Inclusive Learning Campus. Broadwater Farm Primary School, William C Harvey School, The Moselle School and Broadwater Farm Children's Centre will all be part of the campus. The Campus will bring children together who have different educational needs. It is intended that this new facility, along with other local services, will also benefit the whole community by providing activities and services for local people of all ages. This might include breakfast clubs, homework clubs, all year-round childcare for children from 0 to 11, parenting support, employment, housing and benefit advice and new sports facilities. |
| We have produced a 360-degree view of several locations on Broadwater Farm estate. The Virtual Neighbourhood (external site) provides an interactive all-round panorama of the site from different viewpoints. |
