Residents living in ‘uninhabitable conditions’ on estate fight plans to build 123 new social homes

Residents from an estate where some people are living in “uninhabitable conditions” are pushing back against council plans to build eight new blocks of social housing next to it.

Wandsworth council, who run the mixed tenure Ashburton Estate in Boyd Court, Putney, will submit a planning application to build 123 new homes on the estate at the end of October. 

But residents have said that the council is unable to manage the current number of social homes on the estate.

Kayleigh Dawson, 40, a resident of the estate said: “Our block has not been properly cleaned in about four years. 

“Council tenants are living with mould, damp, broken utilities and water leaks. Out of the seven council flats in my block, three are of an acceptable living standard.

“It’s uninhabitable. People are afraid to say anything.”

Ms Dawson said she has contacted the council several times in the last two years about different leaks that are still ongoing.

She said: “In the time that I have lived in my flat, we have had a domestic violence case where there are still traces of dried blood on the walls in the communal area, and a tenant living in bags of human faeces who flooded the flats below with this contaminated water through a reported water leak.

“I would have hoped this would have pushed the council into taking some action – but there is still no sign that the block has been properly cleaned.”

“Imagine the problems it’s going to cause when you have families living in these conditions and you suddenly get all these people right next door getting great new properties.”

Residents have said that they do not oppose the council building social housing on the estate, just not on the proposed sites.

Shannon Goberville, 28, from the Ashburton Estate said: “We will lose green spaces, our playground and daylight because some buildings will be right opposite some people’s windows.

“All we’re asking is that they pause the planning application so we can work together to ensure our voices are heard and that much-needed homes are built in a way that builds a better future for everyone.”

Wandsworth council held its first public drop-in regarding the plans in November last year but many residents did not get an invitation – the council said this was because of postal strikes.

At the first consultation in April, residents said they were shown “vague” and “inaccurate” plans. 

Ms Goberville claimed that at this consultation, a member of the architect team showed residents detailed floor and building plans on his phone but was asked by his management to put them away.

Adam Odor, 41, another resident from the estate, said: “I find it so frustrating that the solution to tackle the housing crisis without destroying a community is right in front of the council –  there are more than 1,000 council-owned properties currently vacant in the borough.”

Residents are still able to give feedback until October 6, but have been told that the plans presented on September 15, will be submitted for planning.

A spokesman from Wandsworth council said: “Sites on the Ashburton Estate have been under consideration for development as part of the 1,000 homes programme since November 2017, when the Council agreed to deliver a mix of council, shared ownership and for sale market housing on its land.

“In June 2022, the council’s Housing Committee approved plans to convert all homes in its existing 1,000 homes programme to council rent homes, under the banner ‘Homes for Wandsworth’. These homes will be prioritised for people in the local area who are currently over-crowded, looking to downsize or on the council’s waiting list to help tackle the housing crisis in Wandsworth.

 “We first notified residents of our intention to bring forward plans in November 2022. There were some issues with letters about the November information event due to postal strikes, however, in response to this, the council extended the online consultation. We have since held a series of engagement events. All constructive feedback from these sessions is being taken on board for consideration.

 “The latest internal cleaning inspection on the Ashburton Estate was carried out on between March and September of this year. While some issues were noted for improvement, overall it was deemed reasonable. In response to these claims, we have arranged for another inspection to be carried out shortly.”

Pictured top: Residents outside the Ashburton Estate (Picture: Shannon Goberville)