London housing estates saved from demolition as Lambeth set to reverse plans
Two 1960s council estates in south London, Cressingham Gardens and Central Hill, have been saved from demolition after more than a decade under threat. Lambeth's cabinet is expected to reverse the demolition plans at a meeting next week.
London housing estates saved from demolition as Lambeth set to reverse plans
A decade-long resident campaign
Two south London council estates built in the 1960s, Cressingham Gardens and Central Hill, have been saved after spending more than a decade under threat of demolition. Residents who fought the plans argued that the low-density developments matter architecturally and are well liked by the people who live in them. Lambeth council had taken the opposite view, maintaining that both estates were in poor repair and that knocking them down would free up land for the social and affordable homes the borough needs.
Greens take control and move to reverse plans
The demolition push happened while Labour controlled Lambeth. That changed in May, when the Greens won the most seats in the local elections and now lead the council as a minority administration. The Greens have opposed demolition, and the plans are expected to be formally reversed at a meeting of the cabinet next week.
Review found very small net gain in social homes
Doubts about the redevelopment were raised well before the change of administration. A 2022 review of Homes Lambeth, the housing management body since defunct, questioned whether the schemes would deliver much, saying the net number of social rent homes to be created was very small. The review was led by Sir Bob Kerslake, a former head of the civil service.
feedback was uniformly negative
Kerslake reported that residents pointed to inconsistent policy, delays and poor communication. As he put it, levels of trust in the council were exceptionally low.
Designed to encourage neighbourliness
Both estates came out of a Lambeth architecture department led by Ted Hollamby, who pushed the borough away from tower blocks and towards lower-rise housing.
- Cressingham Gardens sits beside Brockwell Park and was laid out so front doors face each other, with green play spaces between homes, to encourage neighbours to know one another.
- Central Hill was led by Rosemary Stjernstedt at a time when few women worked in social housing design, and built on a sloping site near Crystal Palace with homes arranged to make the most of natural light.
Focus shifts to repair and empty homes
Martin Abrams, the Green leader of Lambeth, called the decision a decisive moment, saying the council can now put money into residents' homes and bring empty properties back into use. Pete Elliott, cabinet member for housing, said the fight for a better future for the estates had lasted more than 12 years, and that the proposals end years of uncertainty by shifting attention to repairing homes, supporting communities and filling empty properties. The cabinet is expected to confirm the reversal when it meets next week.
