Thamesmead residents fear they will be forced out for new luxury developments
The Lesnes estate in South London was earmarked for demolition in 2020, and residents say current plans will displace them and price them out of the area.
One resident has told City London News that the regeneration and “gentrification” of the Lesnes estate and wider Thamesmead estate amounts to “social and ethnic cleansing”.
The resident, who preferred not to be named, said they feel abandoned by the council who “misled residents” during the public consultation.
The council gave outline planning permission to Peabody housing association in 2022 to replace the existing homes with nearly 2,000 new properties.
Residents say they feel left behind by the council and housing association
Peabody Housing Association are accused of neglect in the area.
Residents argue that the regeneration would price them out of an area that they have lived in for decades.
They also say that the council is purposefully neglecting the area to justify demolition, with streetlights remaining broken, rubbish piling up, and abandoned properties attracting squatters.
When City London News visited the estate, the main public areas were quite clear, though the private property gardens had a lot of rubbish and debris in them.
New transport links incentivise property developers
The Elizabeth line connection to Abbey Wood means quick journey times to the centre of London.
The housing association says they want to take down the existing buildings to make way for more luxury developments.
With the recent opening of the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood and the new Superloop bus service, the area now boasts excellent transport links to the centre of London, prompting developers to target the area for redevelopment.
Social housing ‘doesn’t look like a priority’
Developers have come under fire for not meeting the Mayor’s social housing targets.
Housing campaigners Estate Watch London says 596 houses were set for demolition, to be replaced with 1,950 news homes. Of the original homes, over 400 were social rent housing. Of the new homes, only 61 will be subsidised by government for social rent, with a further 307 being affordable rent.
“There is nothing in the application to explain why it fails to comply with the Mayor’s policy requirement of 50% affordable housing and no net loss of social rented homes”, says Estate Watch London.
Campaigners argue that the housing association’s track record raises concerns.
Peabody came under fire when medical secretary Sheila Seleoane’s body lay was only discovered after two years in one of its properties despite repeated warnings from neighbours.
In 2020, housing developer Peabody – who has administered the estate since 2014 – hired Civica Election Services to hold a ballot on the estate, asking residents if they were in favour of regeneration plans. 70% voted in favour; 30% voted against.
City London News contacted both Peabody housing association and Bexley council for comment and they have yet to respond.
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HeadlineThamesmead residents fear they will be forced out for new luxury developments
Short HeadlineLesnes estate resident: 'It's ethnic cleansing'
StandfirstThe Lesnes estate in South London was earmarked for demolition in 2020, and residents say current plans will displace them and price them out of the area.
One resident has told City London News that the regeneration and “gentrification” of the Lesnes estate and wider Thamesmead estate amounts to “social and ethnic cleansing”.
The resident, who preferred not to be named, said they feel abandoned by the council who “misled residents” during the public consultation.
The council gave outline planning permission to Peabody housing association in 2022 to replace the existing homes with nearly 2,000 new properties.
Residents say they feel left behind by the council and housing association
Peabody Housing Association are accused of neglect in the area.
Residents argue that the regeneration would price them out of an area that they have lived in for decades.
They also say that the council is purposefully neglecting the area to justify demolition, with streetlights remaining broken, rubbish piling up, and abandoned properties attracting squatters.
When City London News visited the estate, the main public areas were quite clear, though the private property gardens had a lot of rubbish and debris in them.
New transport links incentivise property developers
The Elizabeth line connection to Abbey Wood means quick journey times to the centre of London.
The housing association says they want to take down the existing buildings to make way for more luxury developments.
With the recent opening of the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood and the new Superloop bus service, the area now boasts excellent transport links to the centre of London, prompting developers to target the area for redevelopment.
Social housing ‘doesn’t look like a priority’
Developers have come under fire for not meeting the Mayor’s social housing targets.
Housing campaigners Estate Watch London says 596 houses were set for demolition, to be replaced with 1,950 news homes. Of the original homes, over 400 were social rent housing. Of the new homes, only 61 will be subsidised by government for social rent, with a further 307 being affordable rent.
“There is nothing in the application to explain why it fails to comply with the Mayor’s policy requirement of 50% affordable housing and no net loss of social rented homes”, says Estate Watch London.
Campaigners argue that the housing association’s track record raises concerns.
Peabody came under fire when medical secretary Sheila Seleoane’s body lay was only discovered after two years in one of its properties despite repeated warnings from neighbours.
In 2020, housing developer Peabody – who has administered the estate since 2014 – hired Civica Election Services to hold a ballot on the estate, asking residents if they were in favour of regeneration plans. 70% voted in favour; 30% voted against.
City London News contacted both Peabody housing association and Bexley council for comment and they have yet to respond.
