The Community Takes Actionin Response to the Housing Crisis

Gospel Oak was marked for major demolition – whole streets of houses had been left derelict since the war. This outraged a lot of people who were struggling to be housed by the council. Large numbers of people objected to the high rents charged by landlords and squatted the empty properties out of protest and out of poverty.

More and more groups of people saw this as their only option until Gospel Oak had the largest squatting community in North London. They renovated their houses and set up communal facilities including a bakery, a nursery and an arts centre.

At left: Derelict house on Prince of Wales Road – Photo courtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

Gospel Oak GrovePhoto courtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

A street of empty houses on Lismore RoadPhoto courtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

Houses waiting to be demolished on Wellesley PlaceCourtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

A family of squatters, Gospel OakPhoto by Michael Abrahams, courtesy of Museum of London

Relationships between longtime residents and squatters were complicated. While some appreciated the squatter movement and its larger goals, many disliked the squatters for their youthful and unorthodox lifestyles.

Prince of Wales CrescentPhoto courtesy of Liz Jellinek

First Burst was the first neighbourhood summer festival in Gospel Oak. It brought together the disparate communities living in the area and allowed the growing alternative scene in London to mix with the old community that had been living in the area for generations. Over three days, there were float processions, live music, a disco, street theatre, poetry and events in shopping centres and in the estates.

First BurstPhoto courtesy of Liz Jellinek

First BurstPhoto courtesy of Liz Jellinek

The council made plans to demolish whole sections of Gospel Oak. All residents were threatened with losing their homes. Many disagreed with these plans and communities fought back against the council.

Photo by Michael Abrahams, courtesy of Museum of London

Some won their fights and saved their homes from being bulldozed, while others were not so lucky and were moved out of the area.

Weedington Road Estatephoto by Ian Dungavell, courtesy of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre