The Lydstep Flats scrapbook acts as a Historical record to preserve the memory and history of the Lydstep Estate.
The Lydstep Flats are comprised of three tower blocks, each containing 43 properties, situated in Gabalfa, Cardiff, Wales. Built in 1958, they were to be considered as luxury two bedroom flats. The estate was predominantly an upper middle class area in 1960, but has changed over the years.
The estate itself is now a diverse area, in and around Cardiff some may stereotype Gabalfa as a rough area although the residents of the estate are very proud. There are members of the community that have lived here their whole lives, know each other and reminisce about what a fantastic place this was to grow up in.
Now the flats are a mix of privately owned property and council houses. The estate is situated next to Bute park, and is built next to playing fields which are the home of Cardiff Draconians FC.
The relationship between the inside and outside is an important one, as it is considered the residents’ garden. There have always been children running around, playing football on the green, as well as a notorious community of dog walkers. After the year 2000 children were allowed to live in the property, past the sixth floor; this was previously seen as too dangerous an environment to live at such height.
Obtaining a council housing tenancy can be an arduous task, it operates via each individual situation to the next and some people have been on the waiting list for more than ten years. .
The tower blocks have undergone considerable change after cladding was removed due to the change in fire safety regulation following London's Grenfell fire. At the moment there has been no fixed substitute. The council have planned to have it replaced but works have been pushed back because of COVID-19. Subsequently, the tower blocks have started to take damage to the infrastructure. Residents have reported black mould growing on the walls due to moisture that has been let in from the removal of the cladding.
Please read the Contextual Statement if you would like to learn more about the intentions of the Lydstep scrapbook.