Residents welcome ‘death knell’ of redevelopment of iconic estate

By Owen Sheppard, local democracy reporter

Dolphin Square residents have welcomed the “death knell” of any prospect that the iconic estate could be redeveloped.

For years, residents in the 1930s mansion blocks lived in fear that its former owner, Westbrook Partners, would win planning permission to build 230 flats above its northern block.

Walking distance from the Houses of Parliament, Dolphin Square is renowned for having been the residence of supermodel Christine Keeler, prime minister Harold Wilson and former French resistence leader and later president, Charles de Gaulle.

Other past inhabitants include former fascist leader Oswald Mosley and ex-foreign secretary William Hague.

After Westbrook’s planning application was rejected by Westminster Council in 2019, the 1200-home estate in Pimlico was purchased by AXA Investment Managers in late 2020.

This week, residents were told by email from the estate’s general manager that it will be invested in and returned “to its best”, with upgrades to its plumbing, heating and electrical systems.

One resident of 20 years, Jason Thomas Williams, 49, said: “It’s the death knell of any redevelopment, it’s really welcome news.

“People were worried about what the new landlord would do so it’s a huge relief.”

The former Churchill ward councillor added: “I was drawn to it and it’s an iconic building. I grew up nearby in Lupus Street and always knew about it.

“It was originally built for key workers and was Europe’s biggest housing estate at one point.

“When I moved here there were a lot of older residents, a lot of whom haved moved away because of the pandemic.

“But there’s also a lot more young families now and there’s a great community spirit.”

The email states that work on the estate could begin later this year, thanks in part to the planned easing of lockdown restrictions.