"It has changed a lot" - what it is like to live in a Leeds tower block for 35 years

The skyline of Leeds has changed dramatically in recent years.
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From the development of the city centre and the likes of Trinity Leeds and Victoria Leeds, to corporate skyscrapers, such as Bridgewater Place and The Platform. But what is it like to watch these changes unfold before your eyes, from your own living room?

In this new week long series, Emma Ryan speaks to residents living in the skies of Leeds and those with some of the best views in the city.

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Perched on the 13th floor of the 16-story Gamble Grange block of flats is Sandra Ogden.

The city skyscrapers can be seen from Sandra Ogden's flat in Wortley.The city skyscrapers can be seen from Sandra Ogden's flat in Wortley.
The city skyscrapers can be seen from Sandra Ogden's flat in Wortley.

The 78-year-old has lived in her high-rise flat in Wortley for the past 35 years.

Flowers

Plants and flowers adorn the outside of her front door, she catches up with neighbours regularly and has even thrown street parties.

She has carried shopping up and down, taken rubbish out, redecorated and had new furniture without a second thought.

Sandra has a cosy flat which she has lived in for 35 years.Sandra has a cosy flat which she has lived in for 35 years.
Sandra has a cosy flat which she has lived in for 35 years.
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Living 13 floors up has never bothered the widow and, despite nearing her 80s and living alone, she has never been tempted to move anywhere else.

“I just love it here”, she says.

Pointing out of the window, she looks towards the horizon.

Views

A room with a view. Sandra Ogden's living room has views for miles.A room with a view. Sandra Ogden's living room has views for miles.
A room with a view. Sandra Ogden's living room has views for miles.

“It has changed a lot, the chimneys are gone,” Mrs Ogden adds.

“It is the little things you can see.

“There used to be maisonettes on The Poplars [towards Armley] before the estate was built.

“Where these houses are was flats and it used to be a mushroom farm.”

Sandra Ogden takes in the view from her 13th floor flat in Gamble Grange at Wortley.Sandra Ogden takes in the view from her 13th floor flat in Gamble Grange at Wortley.
Sandra Ogden takes in the view from her 13th floor flat in Gamble Grange at Wortley.
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In one direction, there is the corporate sprawl of Leeds city centre and the cranes that have sprung up in the Holbeck and emerging South Bank area - where the next significant city development will be.

Slightly to the left is the north of the city centre and the rows of terraces making up the student areas of Woodhouse and Hyde Park.

Cast your eye to the right and you will see the power stations in the distance, from what remains of Ferrybridge to Eggborough.

In the immediate eyeline is the lake that Farnley Beck feeds into, the ring road from the M621 towards west Leeds and a perfect bird’s-eye view of the Wortley estates below.

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Mrs Ogden added: “On Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve it is fantastic. It is not just the city centre but all around.”

Tenancy

The community of Wortley is a bird's eye view for Sandra Ogden.The community of Wortley is a bird's eye view for Sandra Ogden.
The community of Wortley is a bird's eye view for Sandra Ogden.

Mrs Ogden applied for a council flat back in the 1980s after living in a terraced house on Wellington Road.

She was given her flat which she has, over the years, turned into an immaculate cosy haven adorned with ornaments, flowers, bright canvases and she has her collection of books dotted around her.

Her windows - even at 13 floors up - have just been replaced, her bathroom and kitchen were recently revamped too and there are plants outside her front door, just as you would find at street level.

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Mrs Ogden said: “I have got central heating, cavity wall insulation, double glazing, a new bathroom, a new kitchen and we have just had the sprinklers fitted.

“I think you can say there is a good reason I still live here. They are lovely flats and spacious.”

Over the years Mrs Ogden, who has had jobs making light bulbs, running a milk business, working in a supermarket and as a cleaner, as well as being a house-wife, has made sure that, despite living so high up, the community feeling was not lost.

In the 1990s, she set up a residents’ association for the high-rises and was a member of the high-rise group set up by North West Homes which was the ALMO that used to manage the flats.

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In 2012, she helped organise a Diamond Jubilee celebration to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne.

“We were going to have a street party but ended up having it in the school,” Mrs Ogden said.

“It was really good, we had a lovely day.

“I see my neighbours quite a lot and we keep in touch, we are always backwards and forwards. I know a lot of people because I have lived here so long.”

Challenges

However, she says living in a high rise is not without its challenges.

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The main issue she says is when the lift breaks or the bin chutes become blocked.

And, the safety concerns that were highlighted in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy where 72 people died in a fire at a council run block of flats in North Kensington in London in 2017 is lurking in the back of her mind.

She said: “It upset me very much. Then there was a fire at The Poplars and I sat watching it thinking ‘please hurry up and put it out’.

“If there was a major fire - I would go out. There have been a few small ones contained. When I first came there was one on the second, fifth and sixth.

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“There was one on the 15th but the fire brigade dealt with it.”

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