Tenants fear beloved estate will turn into ‘prison’ if more homes are built nearby

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

Tenants fear their beloved estate will turn into a “prison” if plans to build more homes at the site get the go-ahead.

People living on the Ashburton Estate in Putney claim residents already struggle with problems like mould, that have not been sorted, and are objecting to Wandsworth council’s proposals in a bid to “save” their community.

The estate is earmarked for new homes under the council’s 1,000 homes programme, which also includes new buildings at Innes Gardens, Cortis Road and Hayward Gardens.

Greg d’Ollone, 43, described the proposals as “terrible”, adding: “This is the only thing that we’ve got left that’s free here… the space.”

The scheme was started by the old Conservative administration with a mix of tenures, but Labour switched all 1,000 planned homes to council rent after taking over in May last year.

Residents said they understand new homes are needed but believe the earmarked sites are not suitable for such development – particularly due to strained local infrastructure, with a major school nearby, and the sites being intensively used.

Residents slammed the council’s communication about the proposals, including the timing of a drop-in engagement session before Christmas and a short period for initial feedback until January 9.

They said most residents did not know about the proposals, or related community engagement websites until locals went door-to-door informing them.

Another resident, Paul Doorly, 57, said: “There has to be trust and there has to be a sense that you are being given information and you’re being listened to.

“We’re not being given information and we’re not being listened to, so we’re already in opposition.” 

He said: “The building work and all of this stage, it puts an enormous stress [on] the community so you do get people who are thinking of moving out who don’t want years of this.”

Mr Doorly added: “Once the community’s gone the community’s gone, so our argument really is about saving your community. It’s not about resisting development. It’s not a NIMBY argument.”

A Wandsworth council spokesperson said: “The engagement activity that has taken place so far was only an initial conversation with residents to make them aware that plans were being prepared.

“We will be undertaking a comprehensive consultation process in due course and conduct all the necessary surveys with relation to light, traffic, parking and other amenities.

“In relation to existing issues on the estate, including damp and mould, we are working to address these when they are reported to us.”

Pictured top: (L-R) Maria and Peter at the Ashburton Estate (Picture: Charlotte Lillywhite)