Greens claim 13,500 council homes lost in London

More than 13,500 social and council homes in London have been lost in estate redevelopment schemes since 2003, according to the Green Party.

A report published by Green London Assembly member Sian Berry claims that completed demolition schemes on sites with existing social housing have led to the net loss of 6,748 social and council homes since 2003.

It also claims that a further 6,791 will be lost if currently approved schemes go ahead.

Estate redevelopment schemes funded by the London mayor now cannot involve demolition without residents approving schemes via a ballot.

This is part of a new policy finally introduced by the mayor in July 2018, after a long campaign from estate residents and Ms Berry.

But the report argues that this policy has yet to take full effect and argues how the losses have been worsened by the mayor agreeing to fund dozens of schemes in the months ahead of the new ballot policy coming into force.

‘My research today shows we have already lost thousands of social housing homes, and that thousands more are under imminent threat,’ said Ms Berry.

‘Demolishing estates in this way not only reduces the amount of housing for families in need, it also breaks up communities at the heart of life in the city.

‘And now estates are under even more threat from the government’s proposed new national planning rules,’ she added.

‘These would force councils to define whole areas for rapid or automatic planning approval and do not give a single mention to the rights of people already living in these areas to have a say.’

In response, London’s deputy mayor for housing and residential development, Tom Copley said: ‘The mayor has achieved record-breaking delivery of genuinely affordable homes in London and despite the challenges of coronavirus we remain committed to backing councils and housing associations to build new affordable homes in the capital. Last year 4,390 new council homes were started in London – the highest total since 1983.

‘This report gives an incomplete picture of both the measures that the mayor has brought in to prevent the loss of social housing without replacement and the current revival in new council housebuilding currently taking place in London.’

Photo Credit – Free-Photos (Pixabay)