Residents welcome redevelopment of mice-infested estate

By Lina Kurdi

Council estate residents have welcomed redevelopment plans as a solution to the mice infestation that they say is threatening the health and safety of their children.

Residents of the Tustin Estate, on the Old Kent Road in Southwark, have welcomed Southwark council’s plan to bulldoze the 55-year-old estate as part of a redevelopment scheme.

Morayo Pirishola, 35, said: “I live with my kids on the second floor and the mice come up through a hole under the kitchen sink.

“I called Southwark council several times over many years to fix this issue, but nothing got done about it.

“Out of worry for my kids, especially my three-year-old son, I purchased mouse traps to try and solve this problem myself.

“I’m always worried that my son will pick up mice droppings and get sick or try to play with them as they run around the flat.

“I hope the redevelopment will stop the mice from coming into flats. I hope the finishing on the flats will be better, there will be no holes and gaps to let mice in, no cracks on door frames, and no more leaks.

“I look forward to the redevelopment as it will make the area more suitable for the kids.”

“They’re everywhere not just in our flat, but in people’s gardens and near the bins.”

Tracy Payne, 48, said: “It’s about time, the building has had it. My flat is damp, and the kitchen hasn’t been built properly, there are no backs on the cupboards and mice are rife around here.

“I see big mice running around from garden to garden all the time.”

Robert Hilton, 33, said: “The redevelopment is positive, it goes in line with what the council is trying to do with the area, which is make it more attractive.

“I’ve had problems with mice and dampness in my flat. I hope the redevelopment will solve these issues.”

The redevelopment would see 200 homes built to rehouse the current tenants of the estate.

The project also includes the redevelopment of Pilgrims Way School, which will be rebuilt in the middle of the estate.

A central park and additional homes designated as affordable housing will be built on the estate as well as designated housing for people over 55 and new shop units for existing businesses.

Construction will begin in late 2022 and is planned to be completed in the summer of 2028.

Southwark council said it could not comment due to the purdah period before next month’s local elections.

Pictured top: The Tustin Estate (Picture: Google Street View)