Residents living on the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates have launched the People’s Plan as a practical alternative to the demolition proposals.
On 24 August 2016, Green London Assembly Member, Sian Berry visited residents to learn more about the People’s Plan and view a model prepared by Architects for Social Housing (ASH).
Sian says:
“The People’s plan clearly demonstrates that residents, with support, are capable of creating good regeneration alternatives to demolition. The plan not only proposes 250 additional homes but they improve existing estates without destroying perfectly good family homes. It is important that demolition is not the only option when regenerating an area. Residents and communities should not have to be needlessly displaced when there are other options.
“By creating the Homes for Londoners unit in City Hall, the Mayor has a real chance of supporting residents’ estate regeneration plans. Sadiq should ensure that there will be staff that can support residents when they want to develop other alternatives.”
The Chairs of the two Tenants and Residents Associations, Sally Taylor and Diana Belshaw, and the Chair of West Ken Gibbs Green Community Homes, which is seeking to win resident control over the estate, Keith Drew, said:
“As the residents, we think it should be for us to choose what sort of future we have for our community. The People’s Plan is far better than the scheme the developer wants to impose on us. It shows that the vision we have been campaigning for since 2009 can be achieved.” Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan pledged in his manifesto to ensure that estate regeneration ‘only takes place where there is resident support.’
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan pledged in his manifesto to ensure that estate regeneration ‘only takes place where there is resident support’.
Notes to editors
Sian is available for interview
Housing Organiser, Zoe Savory (left) and resident Linda Sanders (centre) explain the People’s Plan to London Assembly Member Sian Berry (right)
The People’s Plan: https://westkengibbsgreen.wordpress.com
There are currently 760 homes on the estates. The Plan proposes 250 additional homes. By selling 180 of these, £50 million could be generated to help pay for the improvements and 70 new homes for social rent. Most of the new homes for social rent would be family size houses, with some bungalows for elderly and disabled residents. These new homes would help address overcrowding on the estates and suit tenants looking to down-size. Most of the homes for sale would be built in new storeys above, and extensions to, existing blocks of housing.
In September 2015, Sian has previously said:
“The residents who live here don’t want to see it bulldozed and turned into a new private development. They want to remain in their homes surrounded by the community they love, and feel as though they have ownership over their own future. If elected as Mayor I will block the Earls Court Regeneration Scheme, and support the residents in their bid to take over their homes and take the lead on the regeneration of the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates.”
Sian Berry was elected as a Green member of the London Assembly in May 2016.
Sian Berry has been a councillor for Highgate ward in Camden since 2014.