Judge to rule on whether Lambeth estate regeneration is lawful

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A judge will decide if part of an estate can be bulldozed after residents launched a legal challenge to a council housebuilder’s plans.

Residents of Cressingham Gardens in Lambeth fear their homes will be next for the wrecking ball if demolition of one of the estate’s blocks goes ahead.

Lambeth council approved its housing company Homes for Lambeth’s plans to knock down 12 homes in Ropers Walk on the estate near Brockwell Park last year.

The local authority wants to build a four-storey building with 20 new homes in place of the block. But some people living on the estate are worried the development will set in motion the rebuilding of the rest of the estate.

Following Lambeth’s approval of the development, residents campaigning to save Cressingham Gardens asked for a judge to review the lawfulness of the decision. Their request has now been accepted.

It is the second time residents have won a judicial review of plans to demolish Ropers Walk. Lambeth originally approved plans to demolish the block in February 2021.

Residents launched a legal challenge against the plans, but Lambeth u-turned on its decision before the case went before a judge. At the time, the local authority said it didn’t want to spend taxpayers’ money in court.

The current legal challenge is the fourth residents have brought against the regeneration of the 1970s estate in Tulse Hill. They say a masterplan – a written vision for the future of the entire of Cressingham Gardens – should be produced before redevelopment of any of the estate goes ahead.

An update on the fundraising page of campaigners Save Cressingham Gardens reads: “A judge has granted permission for the latest judicial review to go ahead regarding the planning permission that Lambeth granted itself to salami slice the block Ropers Walk for demolition ahead of any master planning […].

“The date for the court case has been scheduled for November 24, 2022. This will be the second judicial review regarding Ropers Walk specifically, and our fourth judicial review since the start of the threatened demolition of Cressingham Gardens 10 years ago.”

Lambeth council previously said of the plans: “Lambeth is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, which is why the council has embarked on our biggest housebuilding programme for a generation.

“The new homes at Trinity Rise will provide affordable, family-sized homes, with a communal landscaped garden for existing and future residents. The proposals offer 20 new homes that will be warmer, greener and safer, all of which are affordable homes, with 14 at council level rent. These homes will be prioritised for current secure tenants living on Cressingham Gardens.

“When a regeneration masterplan is delivered, every current secure tenant will be able to move to a brand-new home which meets their needs at council level rent.

“Affordable options are also available to allow resident homeowners to stay on the estate and required adaptations will also be made for these residents.”

Pictured top: Cressingham Gardens estate in Tulse Hill (Picture: Robert Firth)