Coming back for seconds at New Charter

A popular BBC One documentary featuring the work of housing associations is returning for a second series.

“Neighbourhood Watched”, a series of four 40-minute programmes, was broadcast last August. Each episode attracted more than 2.3m viewers.

North west landlords New Charter and Housing Pendle have again agreed to take part, with a third landlord to be confirmed. Filming for a second series will begin later this month. The programmes will follow staff as they deal with the variety of tasks and customers they encounter daily.

In the first series, independent production company Raw Television found the human consequences of the economic downturn, with tensions and existing homes in short supply. The work landlords do to tackle anti-social behaviour made some of the headlines. But there were also heart-warming stories of local people faced with change as they grew older, and the joy of success in garden competitions.

The second series will follow the same format but promises to look at some of the more topical issues facing housing providers and their communities.

New Charter took over former council housing in Greater Manchester a decade ago. It originally agreed to take part in the series as it believed many people were unaware of the variety of work an excellent housing provider does.

New Charter’s Group Chief Executive Ian Munro said: “We believe “Neighbourhood Watched” gave a balanced insight into the excellent work housing providers do. Yes, there are risks associated with granting such wide access to the film crew, as recent celebrity-based housing programmes have shown. But good housing is a cornerstone of society, and we hope the second series will show the links with good health, improving education and improving tenants’ job prospects.”

Executive Producer for Raw Television, Lucy Willis said: “The last series of “Neighbourhood Watched” offered a compelling and entertaining window on modern day social housing. We found such a wealth of material that we’re delighted to be making a second series and this time round we’ll be including some new, thought provoking areas. “

The series will be filmed through to early autumn and delivered to BBC One for transmission in 2011.

www.newcharter.co.uk