Guinness Trust plans for Loughborough Park Estate
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wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
True.
Basically ever since their first redevelopment project (circa 2002/3 IIRC) they have not taken anyone on assured tenancies but only on short ones.
Maybe if Lambeth had been more forthcoming with the first attempt this wouldn't have dragged on for so long.
Basically ever since their first redevelopment project (circa 2002/3 IIRC) they have not taken anyone on assured tenancies but only on short ones.
Maybe if Lambeth had been more forthcoming with the first attempt this wouldn't have dragged on for so long.
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
It's not so much the fact they rejected it but rather the way they didn't actually reject it but just told the GT they would fight their appeal after GT decided to appeal the fact that the application had been just ignored for years rather than explicitly rejected, this added years to the project.
There definitely is a vocal opposition to the old (and the current project) whether this actually represent a majority or minority of the residents I have no idea though. GT has definitely avoided engaging with them for sure, and their attempt at creating "their" own tenant association failed miserably due to a "lack of participation" to elect a representative "crew" in charge, as I'm pretty sure everyone on the unofficial tenant group did participate in the vote and other people not in it did too this would indicate that the percentage of residents voicing their concern might not be in the majority but that apathy and disinterest or a "silent majority" in favour are the prevalent feelings towards this, obviously I could be wrong and short of a full survey of all residents there is no way to actually know this.
There definitely is a vocal opposition to the old (and the current project) whether this actually represent a majority or minority of the residents I have no idea though. GT has definitely avoided engaging with them for sure, and their attempt at creating "their" own tenant association failed miserably due to a "lack of participation" to elect a representative "crew" in charge, as I'm pretty sure everyone on the unofficial tenant group did participate in the vote and other people not in it did too this would indicate that the percentage of residents voicing their concern might not be in the majority but that apathy and disinterest or a "silent majority" in favour are the prevalent feelings towards this, obviously I could be wrong and short of a full survey of all residents there is no way to actually know this.
jeremyclyne
Member
By way of an update, tenants now being evicted as the first blocks are
prepared for demolition.
On Saturday I spent several hours meeting tenants who are being thrown
out of their homes, in one case after being there for seven years on
an assured shorthold tenancy and on Monday I went to Lambeth County
Court on behalf of another tenant, summonsed to appear that day, to plead for her to be allowed a little more time before being forced out.
Assured shorthold tenants may have no legal rights to stay but we managed to get her
an extra 28 days rather than her being thrown out immediately.
As for the assurance given at the Planning Committee that Lambeth try
to ensure that all Loughborough Park AST residents in housing need be
rehoused on the redeveloped estate this does not appear to have been
worth more than the paper it was written on.
As Gramsci noted, the response to my Scrutiny question about what action was taken to
carry out this decision did not cite any action taken. There was lots
of stuff about what the Council claims to have done to help Loughborough Park
ASTs but nothing about getting them rehoused on the estate, and lots
about how Guinness had no duty towards them and never had any
intention to rehouse them on the estate.
As for the use of an “informative” being added to the planning
permission saying that planning officers would instruct Lambeth
housing officers to use their best endeavours with Guinness the legal
advice was that this was completely out of order, since informatives
are to be addressed to the Applicant, they are nothing to do with
action to be taken by the Council.
One cannot but conclude that it was all said to take the heat off
councillors who felt deeply uncomfortable faced with the people about to be made homeless. In fact one councillor at the scrutiny meeting, it is
minuted, “acknowledged that an informative had not been the correct
method but PAC members wanted something in the minutes to ensure that
members had sympathised with the residents.”
I’m sure residents like to know that Councillors sympathise with them
– although that should be part of the job description - but it is
wrong to mislead people into thinking that something is going to be
done for them when it quite clearly isn’t.
Minutes can be read at:
http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=113&MId=7623
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
thanks for the update.
how lovely that the PAC members "sympathised with the residents".
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I think the residents got gradually ground down by it all.
Whilst "Tenants Participation" is supposedly encouraged this can run counter to the economic climate Housing Associations have to work under. Building affordable housing is getting increasingly difficult.
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
I think affordable housing is actually on its way out to be replaced by "affordable rents", a quick search told me that my rent would go up by over 100% if I had to pay this :/
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
No source for that, it's just something I thought and it could well be wrong, I'll read more of their literature and get back with factual quotes instead.
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
Having carefully read their literature on the subject (and received a pre phase 2 survey visit this week) here is how I see/understand it now.
They won't change "social"tenancies to "affordable" ones unless the tenant of one of the former request a move to one of the latter properties. So I guess my fears were unfounded, maybe, paranoid me still worries they might "try" a sneaky change in tenancy when we have to move due to the reconstruction but I'll be sure to get a close read of whatever new tenancy agreement they ask me to sign (legalese, I love it).
The survey about housing needs had questions about whether I wanted to part buy one of the new properties, so i guess they might try and push that.
There is a consultation about phase 2 open day event tomorrow morning from 11am to 2pm, I might finally be able to attend for a change.
The event is also open to resident of Mayall Road, Shakespeare road Local Councillors and members of the brixton Societyif any are on here and want to attend.
It will take place in the Loughborugh (sic) Park Community Centre
RyanWilkinsonLW
New Member
Hello everyone, would anybody be able to give me the detils of a Loughborough Park community leader or head of residents association?
Many Thanks,
Ryan
Many Thanks,
Ryan
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
For what reason?
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
This, exactly. You need a really tenacious mindset to carry on staying involved in local grassroots stuff. The knock-backs just keep on coming. If life is already a struggle you just don't need that in your life.
RyanWilkinsonLW
New Member
boohoo
No.
I was speaking to some people from Open Dalston recently who had been up against another big boring block being put up in the area - after years of watching things disappear or go up against their wishes - this block has actually been stopped for the time being! Still, it's a lot of energy and work. I can see Brixton heading the same way as Dalston.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Which one?
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
There isn't an "official" resident association as in: recognised by the guinness trust (now guinness south) but if you pm me your details I will pass them on to the head of the unofficial one who can decide to contact you or not.
SLP?
wemakeyousoundb
hopefully not gimboid
I personally think they should just pull all the block except mine and evict everyone else 
IIRC actual construction is scheduled for June/July start; they've pretty much finished the crushing of the rubbles now, these were taken in March but i forgot to post them before.
Having (finally) attended the presentation event:
they have kept the buildings one floor less than the planning application allowed (since this was a major gripe for a lot of people)
IIRC actual construction is scheduled for June/July start; they've pretty much finished the crushing of the rubbles now, these were taken in March but i forgot to post them before.
Having (finally) attended the presentation event:
they have kept the buildings one floor less than the planning application allowed (since this was a major gripe for a lot of people)
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Put this in the housing thread as well. Then saw ed had updated this old thread. No harm in publicising this twice.
I was there this morning at nine ( puncture disaster made me a bit late so not my photo)
From Lambeth Housing Activists FB page
These are some of the people who have lived on the estate for years without security of tenure plus members of Unite Community and Lambeth Housing Activist group.
The Guinness Trust AST "shortlife" are all under serious threat now of eviction. Saw one eviction notice that came in last few days.
They have lived on the estate for years in some cases but Guinness are refusing to rehouse them in the new flats that are replacing the old blocks of flats they are in at the moment. Lambeth are also not helping. They are likely to end up living in private accommodation outside Brixton. As its to costly in this area.
As can be seen from photo many have young children whose lives will be disrupted by changing schools and losing networks of friends.
As one mother said its hard to explain to her kids that the new housing on the estate will not be for them.
I do think that Guinness could keep these families onsite in the the new build. They are a part of the local community.
Petition here
Guinness Trust AST facebook page here
If you want u can "like it"
I was there this morning at nine ( puncture disaster made me a bit late so not my photo)
From Lambeth Housing Activists FB page
These are some of the people who have lived on the estate for years without security of tenure plus members of Unite Community and Lambeth Housing Activist group.
The Guinness Trust AST "shortlife" are all under serious threat now of eviction. Saw one eviction notice that came in last few days.
They have lived on the estate for years in some cases but Guinness are refusing to rehouse them in the new flats that are replacing the old blocks of flats they are in at the moment. Lambeth are also not helping. They are likely to end up living in private accommodation outside Brixton. As its to costly in this area.
As can be seen from photo many have young children whose lives will be disrupted by changing schools and losing networks of friends.
As one mother said its hard to explain to her kids that the new housing on the estate will not be for them.
I do think that Guinness could keep these families onsite in the the new build. They are a part of the local community.
Petition here
Guinness Trust AST facebook page here
If you want u can "like it"
Last edited:
editor
hiraethified
This is happening now. get along if you can - they need your support.
Brixton Guinness Trust residents set up blockade over proposed evictions
editor
hiraethified
Useful background here (courtesy of the LHA):
Brixton evictions and regeneration – the story of the Guinness Trust Estate in Loughborough Park, Brixton
Brixton evictions and regeneration – the story of the Guinness Trust Estate in Loughborough Park, Brixton
To make a factual point I wasn't aware of until recently. From what I understand the 'Guinness Trust' hasn't existed since 2012.
I think it was subsumed into the Guinness Partnership, so a different legal entity and a limited company - though still of charitable status.
I haven't really got on top of all the ramifications of that change but it was obv. done for reasons ....
I think it was subsumed into the Guinness Partnership, so a different legal entity and a limited company - though still of charitable status.
I haven't really got on top of all the ramifications of that change but it was obv. done for reasons ....
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
This is happening now. get along if you can - they need your support.
Brixton Guinness Trust residents set up blockade over proposed evictions
I was there on Monday morning when it started. They are under threat of eviction and as one can see a lot of them are parents with children.
editor
hiraethified
Something is going on today and I imagine some of the residents are terrified.
Brixton Guinness Trust residents fenced in as security guards assemble outside their homes
Brixton Guinness Trust residents fenced in as security guards assemble outside their homes
xsunnysuex
Life is a horizontal fall.
Blimey. That don't look good. I certainly would be scared if I were faced with that. Hope nothing horrible happens.Something is going on today and I imagine some of the residents are terrified.
Brixton Guinness Trust residents fenced in as security guards assemble outside their homes
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