Block of 70 flats left empty for seven years

A block of 70 flats in an area of high homelessness and housing need has been left empty for seven years.

The flats in Crown Street, Camberwell, on the site of a former depot were built in 2015 by developer Parritt Leng, which went into liquidation soon after and did not properly complete the homes to the required standard.

In 2016, housing association Paragon Asra acquired the building but has since failed to bring the houses up to standard.

Two years ago we asked Cabinet member for Regeneration @JohnsonSitu why 70 new homes built on council land in Camberwell were sitting empty: https://t.co/4nktrPz5ZX

— 35% Campaign (@35percent_EAN) November 14, 2022

Jerry Flynn, from housing activist group the 35 Percent Campaign, said: “Southwark council needs to control developers much more tightly. We simply can’t rely on them to build what they say they will.

“As it is, it looks like we are only getting a few social rented homes out of this development, despite part of it being built on former council land and also getting funding from the mayor. 

“Southwark desperately needs social rented homes above all else, and it should demand of more of these from the developer.”

Southwark council said it would take action against the housing association if the latest planning application did not get clearance.

Councillor James McAsh, cabinet member for the climate emergency and sustainable development, said: “This development, and the freehold, are not the council’s.

“The situation is immensely frustrating and the council has been, and still is, working hard to investigate and resolve it – although we remain limited in our powers as it is not ours.

“The original, unscrupulous, developer abandoned the site after partially developing it, then falling into liquidation.

“The buildings were not built entirely to plan and require amendment before they can be occupied.

“Paragon Housing Association is taking steps to resolve this. We would prefer that action was taken quicker, but accept that they were let down by the developer.

“We will ensure that the latest application is made ready for a decision and take action to enforce if the application is refused.

“If the application is permitted we will follow up with Paragon to ensure that it is implemented as soon as possible.”

A spokesman from Paragon Asra Housing said: “Restarting works at this development has taken much longer than we would have hoped, and we realise how frustrating this is for people in need of affordable housing in Camberwell.

“Following us taking repossession of the development from the liquidator in 2016, a number of legal and mains services provision, as well as design and fire-related structural issues were unfortunately identified.

“It has taken time to fully address these points, but we now understand the scope of the work needed to rectify the issues and complete the development to ensure the buildings meet current standards.

“Our revised planning application with these works included, has now been submitted and we hope to be back on-site next year, subject to the council’s planning approval.”

Pictured top: The block of empty flats in Crown Street (Picture: Google Street View)