Doncaster residents lift the lid on living on the 'most deprived estate in Yorkshire'

Most of the shops are closed today on St James Street.
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But there are still people heading into the small grocers store on the St James estate, near Doncaster town centre, for essentials, with coronavirus restrictions in force.

Near the small shopping parade, some of the ground floor flats display boarded up windows. Round the corner, is the first of a number of high rise flats, on the estate which has one of the highest skylines in Doncaster.

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St James Street, Doncaster. Picture: GoogleSt James Street, Doncaster. Picture: Google
St James Street, Doncaster. Picture: Google
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Those high rise buildings make the St James estate one of the most visible in the borough. You can see it from afar as you near the town.

But its profile was elevated this week when a survey ranked it as the most deprived in Yorkshire, and 55th out of 32,000 in Britain.

The St James Street estate, which sits on the edge of Doncaster town centre is officially the most deprived area in Yorkshire and was ranked 55th out of 32,000 places across Britain.

The survey said that Hexthorpe and Balby North were among some of Britain’s most poverty stricken – but the estate – which is actually in town ward and is largely made up of blocks of flats, was the worst overall.

Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 3Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 3
Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 3
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According to the latest government statistics which rank areas based on levels of deprivation, the estate has far more issues with health, crime, unemployment, financial wellbeing and the general living environment than huge swathes of Doncaster. It says that postcodes beginning DN1 3 are among the worst in Britain.

The views of the residents who live on the street are mixed. Some are concerned over drug abuse in the area, others about the noise of shouting in the middle of the night.

Others praise it as a good place to live. Many speak highly of their neighbours.

Steven Thomas, aged 33, has lived on the estate since losing his job last year.

Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 6Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 6
Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 6
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He said: “I’ve lived here a year and it’s rough. I lost my job and moved here because there was nowhere else to go. It doesn’t feel safe at night, and I would like to move.”

Another resident, who would only give his name as Emrah, said he also wanted to move away. “It’s no good for a family. I’m hoping to move,” he added.

Student Mabast Mohammad, a high rise resident, aged 18, said he thought the estate was all right, but had too many homeless people.

But he did have concerns. “When you’re in the lift, the smell is bad. It smells really dirty to the point I feel physically sick,” he said.

Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 5Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 5
Silverwood House, Elsworth Close, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Silverwood House MC 5
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"But I feel it’s a good place because it’s near to the town centre. At night time, around 2am or 3am, you can hear people shouting in the street, sometimes fighting. But I’m happy here and the college is close. And I have good neighbours.”

Near the shops, one mum wearing a blue facemask, walking with her child, declined to be named, but said she had lived there for five years. During that time, she said she thought it had deteriorated.

"Five years ago it was fine. But now you hear many people shouting at night. I don’t go out any more. It doesn’t feel as safe as before.”

She said she would like to leave.

Others were more positive about the estate.

Another mum, who gave her name only as Julia, said she had lived on the estate for four years.

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She said: “Something has happened, but I think it is the same in other places. I’ve lived in other town centres. They are busy, noisy, I’ve lived in the middle of Lincoln, and Riga, in Latvia, and this is no worse than there. Also, I’ve got nice neighbours.”

Couple Mark and Leanne Reece, who also live on the estate, do not think it is any different to other estates in Doncaster, but feel there are things that could be done to improve it for those living there.

Mark, who has lived on the estate for 22 years, believes it was worse in the past, but feels that the estate could be improved by adding more facilities for children.

He said: “One thing we could ask for is more places for the kids. They could perhaps update the parks.

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“But I think it’s all right here. Everywhere has its idiots, but we are happy here.

Leanne, who is also a long standing resident, added: “We would like to see updated parks. There are a lot of children who live here.

"You get people moaning about children playing football in the streets, but what else will they do if they’ve not got gardens? Young kids have not got anything to do. There are no youth clubs for them now.”

One man shouted a greeting of Happy New Year at a neighbour as he walked nearby.

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It was Ashley Lloyd, aged 28, carrying a sleeping bag across his shoulder.

For Ashley the estate is offering temporary sanctuary. Ashley moved to Doncaster from Wales, as a child. with his mother. She subsequently left.

He is now unemployed, homeless and has slept on the streets.

At present, he is living with a friend who has allowed him to share his flat.

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"I’ve got a friend who’s helping me,” he said. “I would love to be on this estate all the time – there is nothing wrong with it.

"If they would give me a flat, I’d love to be here.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.