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Javid reverses decision on Aylesbury CPO
Sajid Javid has lifted his block of a planned compulsory purchase order (CPO) which was delaying a major south London estate regeneration scheme.
The communities secretary has removed his block on the CPO of leasehold properties in phase one of the Aylesbury Estate redevelopment, in Southwark.
He had originally prevented the CPO in September last year on human rights grounds. He said at the time that many leaseholders would be unable to afford the options of either a shared ownership or shared equity property on the estate, and the plans would “probably force many of those concerned to move from this area”.
He added the council had not taken “reasonable steps” to acquire the land through agreement with the residents and the use of the CPO would have “considerable economic and social dis-benefits” for leaseholders who still live on the estate.
However, Southwark Council said yesterday that Mr Javid had asked the court to quash his decision, after the council made “further better offers to leaseholders”.
A statement from the council said: “The revised offers take into account the increases in values in the local property market and the availability of additional local properties which were considered affordable and suitable for residents’ needs.”
The first phase of the regeneration will see 830 new homes built, including around 300 at social rent.
A new CPO inquiry will now take place, with a consent order being forwarded to interested parties, which include the Aylesbury leaseholders, their legal representatives and lobby group the 35% Campaign.
The Aylesbury Leaseholders Action Group, which lodged an objection to the council’s plans, had previously said the regeneration scheme would fail to deliver enough social rented housing and the estate could be regenerated without being demolished.
The number of leaseholders on the land in the first phase who would face CPO now stands at seven.
The council restated the benefits it said the redevelopment would bring to Southwark, including 50% affordable homes, with 75% of those at social rents and the remainder as shared ownership.
Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said: “We are really pleased that the secretary of state has quashed his previous decision, and will now allow us to hold a new CPO inquiry. We remain committed to regenerating the Aylesbury Estate for the benefit of local residents.”
