'Nelson Mandela House' Residents Want To Stay Put

Harlech Tower in South Acton due to be demolished

Terry and Elizabeth their flat in Harlech Tower. Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon

October 22, 2024

Residents of the iconic tower block in the opening sequence of Only Fools and Horses say they don’t want to move out when the high rise is demolished. Ealing Council plans to replace Harlech Tower on the South Acton Estate, the outside of which was immortalised as Peckham’s Nelson Mandela House in the classic TV show, with homes that are much more modern and able to accommodate more people.

3,500 homes are set to be built on the estate in a project now worth an estimated £850million. But, with demolition scheduled for 2027, some who still live in the ageing flats, which are deemed ‘shabby’ by the council and long overdue being replaced, it’s their sanctuary and somewhere they don’t want to move out of.

Phil Robinson, 75, lives on the 12th floor of the tower, and has a deeper connection to it than most. Phil was the caretaker of the building for decades – including whilst the iconic Only Fools and Horses was filmed. Under his tenure he has seen TV crews at the estate, several fires, and dozens of families come and go.

Even if offered a home in the new development, Phil said he would rather stay as he is. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “This is my home and I’m being forced out. I don’t want to go. It’s either stay with the council or go with [the developers L&Q].”

Phil moved into Harlech Tower with his late wife in 1975. His flat holds fond memories of their life together. He said, “I miss her dearly. I remember when we found this place, she surprised me about it. When we moved in, it was a horrible colour, but we repainted and made it our own.

“She wouldn’t stand for this stuff, forcing us to leave. She was a feisty woman… and she would be furious.”

In addition to the memories shared with his wife, Phil recounts the Only Fools and Horses days fondly. He said: “It was hilarious. There was this one scene in a show where they are carrying a TV down the stairs. Well… they tried to. It took 32 takes, and all you could hear was the director laughing with the cast every time they had to reshoot. It was brilliant.”

Phil added, “I’ve worked here most of my life, I have lived here for most of my adult life. I don’t want to go. I have stomach cancer, and I can’t walk very well. Whenever I am particularly poorly, my neighbours help me, they bring me food, and members of my nearby church come to visit. With all of this we will be broken up, and I won’t have that. That worries me.”

He added, “I remember that morning being able to see Grenfell Tower up in flames. It was a horrible thing to see. But the good thing about this place is that fires have always been contained. They don’t spread like they do in these new builds.”

Phil Robinson poses for photos in his house in the Harlech tower. Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon

Terry, 77, and his wife Elizabeth, 82, live on the fourth floor with their daughter and son-in-law. They have lived in the building for over 50 years making them among the longest-serving tenants left in the block. Terry told the LDRS: “When we moved in, flats above us were still being built. The new flats are too claustrophobic. We like where we are… but if the council offers us something decent we will take it.”

With only three years left in the tower, Terry and Elizabeth, like Phil, claim they have not been told anything by the council, and still have no idea where they will end up. Terry said, “If we are moved, and it’s higher than the fourth floor, we are going to struggle with getting up and down, even with a lift. We are used to living here.”

He added, “I’ve lived in Acton all my life, I grew up here, and I had a garage in East Acton. We look after each other. Especially in this block, we’re a community. Whenever someone is sick, we all try to help each other out, ask what we can do to help. That’s so important.”

Despite accepting the ageing building is nearing the end of its life Terry claims there were no issues until the council carried out refurbishments 15 years ago. He said: “We never had any issues ’til the redevelopments. No mould, no electrical issues, nothing at all. Since then, we have had loads of it… and when you make complaints to the council, they aren’t forthcoming.”

TV legend Sir David Jason, who played Derek Trotter in the beloved sitcom explained his ‘despair’ at the proposed demolition of Harlech Tower in his book. Sir David said: “Imagine by trepidation and despair, then, when I learned that Harlech Tower – the crucible, if you will, of the Only Fools story – was slated for demolition, part of a £650 million rejuvenation of the area.

“[I was] asked to share my opinion of this scheme at the time – the papers coming to me on account, no doubt, of my renowned expertise in matters of urban planning – I said I thought the tower should become a listed building and have a preservation order on it forthwith, effectively saving the building for the nation. Did they listen? Did they heck.”

Rodney Trotter's three-wheeler in front of 'Nelson Mandela House'. Picture: Facebook

An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “L&Q, Countryside and Ealing Council formed a partnership called Acton Gardens LLP to deliver the regeneration of the South Acton Estate. The £850m rejuvenation will eventually provide around 3,500 brand new high-quality, safe, and energy-efficient homes alongside a community hall, youth centre, and other facilities.

“There will be twice as many homes at the rebuilt estate than before the regeneration programme started. More than 40% of all new homes will be genuinely affordable – in other words, let at social rent levels. And two thirds of the new homes will be family-sized, replacing the one-bed homes which dominated the old estate. The regeneration programme has proved very popular with existing residents – the vast majority have exercised their right to request a new home at the redeveloped estate.

“The regeneration is happening because the old estate suffered from a series of inherent problems. In 2008, a borough-wide review of the council’s estates found that South Acton was suffering from ongoing crime and antisocial behaviour problems, a poor mix of both tenure types and dwelling sizes, and buildings that were nearing the end of their life cycle.

“Residents are regularly kept up to date with developments with the regeneration programme and consulted throughout the process. Quarterly newsletters are also sent to every home on the estate. A community board which is made up of residents and representatives from Countryside, L&Q, and Ealing Council meets at least once a quarter to ensure that residents are updated. The last community board meeting was held on 9 September 2024 at the Acton Gardens Community Centre. It’s a very active and inclusive community board which we would encourage all residents to get involved with. Further details can be found on our website: Your Acton Gardens | Home

“All tenants who want to remain living at the estate in one of the new build homes can request to do so. Any residents who decide they do not wish to take up one of the new build homes on the estate will be moved into a suitable home which meets their needs within the borough.

“Harlech Tower is expected to be one of the last blocks on the estate to be demolished. We are committed to ensuring all homes remain safe and habitable in the meantime. Any resident who is experiencing mould or is concerned about the condition of their home should contact our repairs team on 020 8825 5682 or online: Report a housing repair | Report a housing repair | Ealing Council We will always respond to a complaint when received and resolve where it is possible to do so.

“There is a dedicated email address that we would encourage all residents who have a query or complaint to use: Southactonregeneration@ealing.gov.uk… Residents who remain dissatisfied can escalate complaints to housing.environ.complaints@ealing.gov.uk.”

L&Q declined to comment.

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter