Families on estate fear for ‘heart’ of community if plans to bulldoze it go ahead

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

Families fear the “heart” of their beloved estate will be lost forever if plans to bulldoze a community centre and build on green space are brought forward.

Residents of Toland Square in Wandsworth are worried they will not enjoy living on the estate any more if the centre is “carved up”.

The estate is earmarked for new homes under Wandsworth council’s 1,000 homes programme, which was started by the old Conservative administration and included a mix of tenures.

Labour switched all the homes to council rent after taking over in May.

The council revealed it might bulldoze residents’ garages and the community centre for new homes, and build on green space around the playground.

The community centre would be rebuilt but residents said they did not want the centre of the estate to change, to have less space with more people or wait for building works to finish for facilities to return.

A petition against the plans has been signed by 242 people and says: “Having the community hall rebuilt means the playground area will be out of use for a very long period of time and the children will have nowhere to play.

“This local playground has been a lifeline for families on the estate, especially during the past two lockdowns.”

Pamela Brimmer, 82, said: “Everybody looks after each other. You feel safe and families rely on facilities being at the centre of Toland Square because at least people know people are walking up and down and looking.”

The mum-of-two has lived on the estate for more than 30 years – now her grandchildren play there.

She said: “Everybody’s got kids. It’s nice for them to have somewhere because we’re right in the middle where the main roads are and the children have got nowhere [else] to play.”

Ms Brimmer said more homes were needed, but is concerned about the way the council plans to build and facilities being temporarily out of action.

She said: “When you live somewhere that’s got nowhere for the kids to play, they’ll be going on the roads, and that’s when it’s dangerous.”

But other residents aren’t worried about the plans. Dad Malik Afsi, 31, said: “I don’t mind. If they leave a play area for the kids, that’s the main thing, as kids in the evening go and play there. But residents are not happy about it.”

The first consultation on the plans is ongoing and will move to a second stage when more details are revealed next year.

The sites on the estate earmarked for development have been described as “potential opportunities for new homes”.

A spokesman for Wandsworth council said: “The council recently held a consultation event with local residents where views were sought as to how the estate could potentially accommodate new homes for council rent alongside potential improvements to estate-wide amenities.

“This was very much the first stage in the design process – indeed no decisions have been made on any aspect of proposals.”

Pictured top: Pamela Brimmer, 82, in Toland Square (Picture: Charlotte Lillywhite)