Southwark Council is looking to hand over £2m to Notting Hill, due to long delays in its hopes to forcibly purchase the homes of seven leaseholders in Phase One of the estate.
Eight months have passed since the government decided to block the compulsory purchase of the leaseholders’ homes – a decision which took 27 months to make. Another public enquiry will soon be scheduled.
Because of the delays, Southwark and Notting Hill are likely to cross an October 31 deadline, by which point Notting Hill will be entitled to bill the council £2m for the design costs associated with regenerating Phase One.
A council report published ahead of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting said it would also “proceed with funding the partial demolition” of Phase One – but only the blocks that do not contain the leaseholders’ homes.
The council expects demolition of Phase One to be completed by 2020.
Meanwhile on Phase Two, the council reports that 500 households have been moved from twelve blocks. 154 tenants and 68 leaseholders remain. 483 of the 500 vacant flats are being used for temporary accommodation.
Demolition work has started on Missenden – located between Thurlow Street, Dawes Street, and Inville Road – where Notting Hill will build 122 new homes (46 will be social-rent).
By regenerating the entire 2,800-home estate, the council plans to build 3,500 homes. Half will be sold privately, 37.5 per cent will be social housing, and 12.5 per cent will shared-ownership.
They could have saved a lot of money by offering market rate for the properties, instead of trying to lowball the owners.
Regardless, still a despicable plan to socially cleanse this part of London.
Unfortunately we live in a cruel world where social injustice for the poor is overlooked by the rich. Imagine how much money all the parties involved on this project are set to make given that half (1750) will be sold on a privately. Currently on Right Move some of the flats from Phase 1 are on the market, 1 bedroom for £425K and 2 bedroom 540K, 4 bedroom 795k and based on my calcuation by the time they completed the whole project, 1750 flats will generate between £1.2 – 1.8 Billion. Out of which large chuck of the profit will go to the council for the land sale (£225 million), and followed by the construction companies involved on the project and they usually operate on 3.5% – 7.5% margine excluding interest charges for the money they borrowed from the banks. This sort approch to housing needs to future generation will not work!! One day the system will collapse!! I can not wait for that day.