The Lambeth Green Party hit out against the council’s demolition proposal for Cressingham Gardens, with local residents calling the consultation and decision-making process “completely inadequate”.
Lambeth Council should urgently explore new options for Cressingham Gardens in Tulse Hill, which have been put forward by residents, say Lambeth Green Party Councillor Scott Ainslie and Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Streatham Jonathan Bartley.
The proposals which were highlighted last night at Lambeth Council’s Cabinet meeting could be cheaper than current council options. They could also cut fuel poverty and provide more truly affordable homes at council rent levels without the need for demolition of the estate. The residents have now obtained grant funding to develop the proposals.
The call comes after a devastating critique of Lambeth Council’s approach to Cressingham Gardens, carried out by residents at the Cabinet meeting. Residents highlighted the ‘complete inadequacy’ of the council’s consultation and decision-making process. They also raised significant questions about the financial viability of the council’s proposals.
Residents labelled the council’s consultation ‘woefully inadequate’, ‘unfair’ and a ‘sham’. They also highlighted how no assessment had been made in the Cabinet report discussed last night of either the economic and social costs, or the impact on environmental wellbeing of the council’s proposals.
Residents at Cressingham Gardens favour ‘Option 1’ of the five options that were originally offered to them. This would mean refurbishment of their estate. However, this option was formally abandoned by the Cabinet at last night’s meeting, against resident’s wishes. Lambeth Council now proposes demolition. This is despite a previous pledge by council leader Lib Peck not to “do anything to the estate that doesn’t command the confidence and support of its residents.”
Lambeth Green Party Councillor Scott Ainslie, who was at last night’s Cabinet meeting said: “What was clear at last night’s Cabinet meeting was that the consultation of residents has been seriously inadequate. The Cabinet have endorsed a report based on insufficient information and assessment that overrides what the residents of Cressingham Gardens are asking for. The council must listen to what residents are saying.”
Jonathan Bartley, Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Streatham who was also at last night’s cabinet meeting said: “The proposals put forward by residents should be a dream come true for Lambeth Council. Residents are active, engaged, and coming up with viable proposals. Their suggestions would be cheaper, provide more truly affordable housing, and cut fuel poverty with far less negative environmental and social impact. The very least the council should do is allow them to develop these proposals, with the grant funding they have now obtained.”