Residents Locked Out Over BBC Olympic Coverage

On July 21st 2012, residents of the Carpenters Estate in Stratford, East London, were denied access to their home by BBC security personnel and police, who refused to explain their actions. After an hour of obfuscation, the police admitted that they had no legal powers to prevent families entering their own homes and stood aside.

One of those affected by the lock-out had invited members of Carpenters Estate Against Regeneration Plan (CARP), who had been taking a tour of the estate, to inspect the high quality of his accommodation. CARP were also denied access.

The top floors of one of the Carpenters Estate tower blocks were recently hired out by the BBC as a hub for their Olympics and Paralympics coverage, partly due to excellent views of the Olympic Park.

Residents of the estate have voiced complaints regarding the BBC’s presence on the estate, accusing them of breaches of planning agreements and a disregard for health and safety. The residents’ lift was used during renovation of the BBC site to remove waste materials, including asbestos, and a large emergency generator has been sited in a grassy play area without planning permission. A complaint to the BBC about noise and fumes emitted by the generator has received no response.

One resident suggested that the lock-out may have been an attempt to hide regulatory breaches from journalists and members of the public.

By Jack Dean