Chelmsley Wood residents voice concerns about TV series filmed on the estate

CONTROVERSY: The first episode of People Like Us, which will air on
BBC3 next Wednesday, features residents including Sade (pictured above).

A NEW documentary series about Chelmsley Wood has caused controversy before the first episode has even aired.
Councillors and community leaders are concerned that People Like Us, which starts on BBC3 next week, will only serve to reinforce negative stereotypes about the estate.
The six-part programme will introduce viewers to local residents including "determined jobhunter" Sade and Antonio, a man "whose criminal past is never far behind."
Fears have been fuelled about the way the area will be portrayed, after the first series, which was filmed in Greater Manchester, attracted fierce criticism.
Residents living in Harpurhey accused film-makers of making their hometown look like "a slum".
Such was the backlash, more than 1000 people petitioned the BBC to pull the plug on the series and the channel eventually promised it would not return to Manchester for a second run.
Instead the production company settled on Chelmsley Wood earlier this year, handing out leaflets and tweeting people to ask if they'd like to take part.
With just a few days until the opening episode is broadcast, many locals have spoken of their concerns.
Reverend Neil Roberts, from Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church, has written of his reservations on his blog.
"Understandably, many of us have been extremely wary, experience has shown that this sort of thing doesn’t often end well. Benefit Street in particular and reality TV in general doesn’t have a glorious reputation for building people and communities up.
"I am prepared to apologise profusely if this isn’t the case, but the only time people usually show interest in what would be stereotyped as ‘deprived communities’, is either to patronise it or to make fun of it. We’ll see if People Like Us manages to break the mould."
Councillor Karl Macnaughton (Green, Chelmsley Wood) feared that the programme would gloss over the area's many positive points.
"During my time as a local councillor, I have knocked on many doors in Chelmsley Wood and spoken to a lot of people and I can honestly say they are the friendliest, kindest and most caring bunch," he told the Birmingham Mail.
Many residents have also registered their concerns on social media.
Writing on Facebook, Louise O'Mahoney said: "Will it be showing all the talented young people that have made something of themselves? I doubt it."
And Wayne Elcock, who runs a local boxing initiative, revealed that he'd stopped the show filming in his gym after their first visit.
"From the trailer I believe I made the right choice," said the former British middleweight champion.