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Westminster City Council accused of trying to ‘dodge’ scrutiny over estate regeneration

Westminster City Council is facing claims of trying to “dodge” scrutiny over long-running controversial plans to regenerate a 1930s housing estate.

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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Westminster City Council accused of trying to “dodge” scrutiny over estate regeneration #ukhousing

The £350m project will involve demolishing eight buildings on the Ebury Bridge Estate in Pimlico to make way for 750 new homes, of which “at least” 342 will be deemed “affordable”, the council has said. Work is due to start in November.

However, Tom Copley, Labour’s London Assembly housing spokesperson, has voiced fears over the fact that the council has yet to submit a full planning application for the wider estate regeneration.

He also called on mayor of London Sadiq Khan to intervene to stop the plans.

Mr Copley has claimed that by submitting a prior approval notification under permitted development legislation, the Conservative-controlled council is trying to avoid scrutiny and oversight.

Any full planning application for the scheme would be referable to Mr Khan. However, prior approvals do not need to be signed off by the mayor, meaning there is no guarantee that the new buildings are granted planning permission, Mr Copley said.


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He added: “It is clear that Westminster City Council is using all the loopholes at their disposal to rush through these underhand and unscrupulous demolition plans.

“Alongside expediently lining things up so they can dodge proper scrutiny from the public and the mayor, scheduling demolition works before a full planning application has been submitted leaves significant uncertainty about the estate’s future.”

Mr Copley has called on the council to “adopt a more open and transparent approach by conducting a residents’ ballot”.

He added: “That way any plans for the future of the Ebury Bridge Estate could begin to reflect the genuine needs and best interests of local people.”

Westminster City Council hit back at Mr Copley’s intervention.

"It’s extraordinary that a Labour London Assembly Member is trying to stop this project, especially given the shortage of affordable housing in the capital," said Cllr Rachael Robathan, the council’s cabinet member for finance, property and regeneration.
She added:“Westminster was an early adopter of votes on renewal projects. We’ve learned that they’re not the answer.
"One-off votes on regeneration projects by their nature are a snapshot in time and are no substitute for how you really know what a community thinks."
Westminster has said all current council tenants and leaseholders will be given a right of return once the building work was finished.

The council has said that the total number of homes on the estate will double. It has committed to replace the current 198 social rented homes with “high-quality social rented homes”.

In addition, at least 144 affordable, family-sized homes, consisting of 87 social rented and 57 intermediate homes, are planned on the new estate.

Cllr Robathan said: “The renewal of Ebury Bridge will provide every one of our 229 residents the right to return to a modern, energy efficient, high quality new home."

 

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