CLAIMS by a senior Tory figure that some of the borough's estates have become “disgusting slums” have been rejected by angry residents and opposition councillors.

During a debate on housing benefit cuts and changes to tenancy durations of people living in social housing, Totteridge ward councillor Brian Coleman launched a stinging attack on the thousands of residents living on the Grahame Park and West Hendon estates.

He likened the areas to facilities more associated with third world countries, while claiming they had become “ghettos”.

In his outburst at cabinet last week, he said: “Long term social housing creates slums.

“There are the most disgusting slums on Grahame Park and West Hendon. They are condemned to poverty in social housing.”

The Conservative cabinet were discussing two motions put forward by Barnet Labour group's housing spokesman, Ross Houston, relating to the potential impact of benefit cuts on the borough and the proposals by the ConDem government to introduce fixed term tenancies.

Cllr Houston also highlight comments attributed to Tory Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, claiming the £2 billion housing benefit cuts were “draconian”, to which Cllr Coleman responded: “There are not many who will regret the cuts to the social housing budget. The cuts are welcome.”

But his comments have prompted outrage from residents living in Grahame Park and West Hendon, who have long been promised investment and regeneration on the estates.

Derrick Chang, from the West Hendon Residents' Association, said: “The councillors should come and live with us to see if they like it. They have let this area become run down and left it to fall into this state of disrepair.

“If I was a councillor I wouldn't want areas I could consider deprived in the borough. But you can't condemn them as slums but allow it to happen.

“He [Cllr Coleman] doesn't mind taking the money as a subsidy for himself. If it was cut, that money should have been going towards the programme for the homes to be built up.”

Ron Martin, a volunteer at the community One Stop Shop, in the Concourse, on the Grahame Park Estate, said: “Grahame Park is certainly not a slum. I would imagine the residents here would resent being branded slum people.

“A slum seems to imply everything is in bad condition and implies the people in the area are run down and are somehow wanting in the same way the houses are wanting.

“The people here are community minded and there is a strong community around here.”

Cllr Houston said he believed in the importance of secure and affordable housing for people on benefits, and said: “I completely disagree with Cllr Coleman's analysis.

“He often says things that are quite remarkable, and I don't think these comments are helpful.

“I do not think these areas are slums, and I completely reject those claims. There are issues in any community, but that is not to say there isn't a need for the regeneration schemes to go ahead.”