Too poor to play: children in Lambeth social housing blocked from communal playground

[Manter]

This story was features on The World at One (R4). Good to hear that parents on both sides of the 'divide' are getting together to try to fight this. Leaving aside the clear immorality, the developers seem to have also misjudged the commercial attraction of the barrier. Lambeth are going to look even worse than they do already once the developer issues the inevitable statement apologising and backing down.

They have already!

 

[editor]

They have already!

A property developer 'fighting against social injustice'?

My bag of LOLz needs refilling quick.

 

[xsunnysuex]

I believe the new block of flats where the nursing home was on Barrington Rd are like that. The play area looks very much locked.

 

[editor]

I believe the new block of flats where the nursing home was on Barrington Rd are like that. The play area looks very much locked.

Oh can you try and find out more?

 

[Angellic]

Segregated playground developer now says all children are welcome

 

[salem]

This will be one to keep an eye on as I wouldn't be surprised if barriers (physical or implied) go up once the heat has died down.

 

[marty21]

Segregated playground developer now says all children are welcome

Claimed that they never had any objection - in other words, they were hoping they could get away with it

 

[xsunnysuex]

Oh can you try and find out more?

The garden and play area is always locked. I downloaded the brochure. And that says "Private outdoor space" So yes, I imagine it's not for use of the estate kids.

 

[salem]

Vibrant

 

[editor]

Vibrant

But still fighting social injustice!

 

[8ball]

Makes me wonder how much of this is driven by market of purchasers for the bulk of the properties.

 

[D'wards]

It's good news that all kids will be welcome- speaking as a council house kid myself the council kids will terrorise the shit out the poor old posho kids.

 

[Treacle Toes]

It's good news that all kids will be welcome- speaking as a council house kid myself the council kids will terrorise the shit out the poor old posho kids.

 

[bemused]

Imagine having a job where you work out how to fence the poor kids from the rich ones.

 

[Gramsci]

I see the Gaurdian article has been amended.

• This article was amended: on 26 March 2019 to clarify that the Guinness Partnership manages Wren Mews, whereas Guinness Homes is the marketing and sales team for the Guinness Partnership; and on 27 March 2019 to correct a reference to Lambeth council. The council did not give permission for the altered design, as initially reported. It refused permission for a planning amendment which proposed restricted access to the communal play area, and the revised plan which the council approved did not include the restricted access.

I've not time to check the Lambeth planning website tonight.

 

[Gramsci]

Lambeth PR response:

Love Lambeth

 

[Gramsci]

Its late. I've been trying to find out more.

I'm still not sure whether Lambeth messed up the planning of not.

 

[xsunnysuex]

editor I took these pics on my way through to Brixton. The play area is indeed for residents only.

 

[editor]

editor I took these pics on my way through to Brixton. The play area is indeed for residents only.

View attachment 165856

View attachment 165857

View attachment 165858

Thanks for that. So is this block private housing only? And exactly where is it?

 

[xsunnysuex]

Thanks for that. So is this block private housing only? And exactly where is it?

 

[xsunnysuex]

It's just on the end of St James Crescent and Barrington Rd.

 

[editor]

View attachment 165859

So zero social, and only 23 'affordable'. And a crap name of course.

Has the 'shared ownership' lark improved from this?
The hidden dangers of shared ownership

 

[xsunnysuex]

So zero social, and only 23 'affordable'. And a crap name of course.

Has the 'shared ownership' lark improved from this?
The hidden dangers of shared ownership

All I know is it's shit. Kids shouldn't be excluded. How do you explain to them why they can't play there.

 

[Gromit]

It's become pretty standard that developers have to include a percentage of social dwellings to gain planning permission.
It's pretty standard that they try to segregate both sides.

I visited Lyon in France. They have proper mixed housing and rent controls.
We want to give our capitalist masters more sovereignty?
Personally we'd be better off being ruled by France.

 

[cyril_smear]

I thought I'd heard mention that this story was untrue?

 

[Enviro]

It's become pretty standard that developers have to include a percentage of social dwellings to gain planning permission.
It's pretty standard that they try to segregate both sides.

I visited Lyon in France. They have proper mixed housing and rent controls.
We want to give our capitalist masters more sovereignty?
Personally we'd be better off being ruled by France.

I think when you say 'social' you mean 'affordable'? And I think you'll find that developers often get permission on the basis of a percentage of affordable homes, only to later reduce these massively or remove them completely for reasons (£).

 

[Gramsci]

I have found the original planning application for the site 12/04256/ FUL

There are loads of other applications for minor issues. So haven't yet found the one where they ask to put up barrier to open space.

The original application planning statement by Henley Homes states on page 28:

• Provision of secure private gardens to the new build housing and where
appropriate within the original buildings. All properties will have access to
open areas for recreation.

Sounds to me clear that the original application said all residents would have access.

 

[weepiper]

More segregated playgrounds revealed: 'We just play in the carpark'

 

[Gramsci]

More segregated playgrounds revealed: 'We just play in the carpark'

What is most annoying is property developer scum now saying this was an oversight and thanking Guardian from bringing it to there attention.

All property developers are scum.

 

[Gramsci]

Looking at this more I know think that planning permission of these developments did say communal space.

Its that property developer scum ignored it. Knowing local Councils wouldn't be able to enforce it.

Local democracy just doesn't work.

One of the problems with London is that its run in interests of property developers/ landlords.

These vermin see planning as an interference in the working of the market.