News from Siân Berry: Mayor should block estate regeneration if residents don’t support it

Sian Berry has called on the Mayor of London to swiftly introduce new planning policies enabling him to block estate regeneration if a majority of residents oppose the plans in places like the Central Hill Estate in Lambeth, which Berry visited last week.

In written answers provided to Berry, the Mayor has said he will reflect in the London Plan his manifesto commitment to ensure resident support, full and transparent consultation and no net loss of social housing when estates are redeveloped to include more homes.

Sian says:

Estate regeneration has become a byword for sweeping away council housing and residents in order to build luxury flats. But it could also be done well, refurbishing old homes and building new ones without widespread demolition and with the full involvement and support of existing residents.

I’m pleased that the Mayor will be introducing planning policies on these issues, but I hope he doesn’t drag his feet. In the two times I’ve met residents at the Central Hill Estate in Lambeth the consultation process has gone from bad to worse with options put forward by residents barely explored by the council. This estate will be a key test of his resolve: will he fundamentally change the council’s approach?