Shabby state of Greenwich estate thwarting home sales and mortgage applications

By Joe Coughan, Local Democracy Reporter

A South London estate has been been flagged up as “really bad” by councillors, with some local people unable to sell their homes and move out because the site is so run down.

Woodlands Grove estate in East Greenwich – which has a mix of council tenants and private renters – was described as “poorly maintained” at a Greenwich Council meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Majid Rahman said at the meeting: “One of the leaseholders hasn’t been able to sell her property due to the current conditions of the overall estate, even though her flat received positive comments from potential buyers.”

The councillor said the residents of Woodlands Grove were told in 2016 that their estate would be upgraded and refurbished over the next five years.

However, no work has been done since this date. He said: “Another resident had a mortgage application refused because of the condition of the estate.”

Cllr Rahman said he had visited the estate himself recently and saw wooden panels on the bannisters of the estate breaking, and replacement panels which are not fire resistant.

He said: “It is quite apparent how poorly maintained the estate has been. There are holes in the roof of the stairwells, and the overall paintwork is peeling off. It is a terrible site both visually and in terms of health and safety.”

The councillor also said the nearby Sam Manners House, a new £11m set of council homes with a shop and private gardens, looks impressive but puts a “negative contrast” on Woodlands Grove.

He said: “We want our residents to feel valued and we want our residents to feel like the new developments are not going to overshadow the existing ones.”

Councillor Pat Slattery, cabinet member for housing, said she lives near Woodlands Grove and agreed that the estate looked “really bad” and “particularly galling” next to Sam Manners House. Cllr Rahman said he was told by officers that the renovations to Woodlands Grove estate would be reviewed next year.

She said: “I have spoken to officers and as part of our external decorations programme, we are about to survey [Woodlands Grove] to consult with residents on what we find and then package it all together and tender for it early in the new year.” The councillor could not confirm when work would begin onsite.

Cllr Rahman said Woodlands Grove estate is one of several estates across the borough that needs attention, but understands the pressure the council is under for delivering quality housing.

Pictured top: Part of the Woodlands Grove estate (Picture: Google Earth)