 It is second most deprived ward in Sunderland overall, behind Southwick However locals do rank Pennywell, Hendon, Witherwack, Carley Hill, Redhouse etc.as areas of worse deprivation.The estate was the feature location of a short-horror story "The Curse of Thorney Close" which embedded themes of poverty, crime and desperation into a tale of witchcraft in the area.