SMETRA opposes Hondo development in Popes Road

This letter has been written on behalf of the St. Matthew’s Estate Tenants and Residents Association (SMETRA) to state our opposition to the proposed Hondo Development in Popes Road in Brixton.

In an effort to represent local opinion on this matter SMETRA Committee Members have been speaking to residents of St. Matthew’s Estate and discussed this at a recent open SMETRA meeting. We have developed a list of our core concerns which have shaped our position.

1 .It is very clear from the way the world is currently moving that the requirement for office space has and will continue to diminish with time as a result of a new culture of home working. Why then, will Brixton require 22 floors of office space?

There is clear trust issue with the development owner, it was felt that this proposal was a back door means to develop future residential capacity and increased financial reward.

2. Even if this development is used for office capacity it will have a drastic change on how this part of Brixton will function. It will put pressure on the market and Brixton Village Traders and will threaten this community’s access to culturally representative shops.

3. The size, capacity and architecture of this proposal will literally put the existing local shopping area in complete shade as well as being entirely out of place with the small town aesthetic that, that part of Brixton currently has.

4. If this proposal goes ahead, construction work alone will have a massive impact on the local economy and create huge disruption to local traders who are under a huge amount of strain already as a result of an impending recession.

5. The development of Brixton Village has demonstrated that this owner cares little for the cultural identity of this shopping area and more about business. This approach has been consistently at the cost of local businesses and residents. It is now a regular experience for many residents to feel like a complete stranger in this part of Brixton.

6.The design of this building is completely at odds with the look of the area, Brixton wide there are very few developments of this size. SMETRA will continue to actively oppose this development and are committed to reminding Lambeth council to put Brixton’s people and soul ahead of their efforts to raise funds to combat austerity driven cuts forced upon them by this Government.

SMETRA by email