From 2006 to 2010, I was a councillor for Lee Green ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. During that time, I blogged regularly and in 2009 I won the Tim Garden Award for the Best Blog by a Liberal Democrat Holding Public Office. My blog posts from my term of office are archived here in case they prove of use to former constituents, or to those who share my annoyance with faulty street furniture
Sven and I were up on Millbank Way and Cambridge Drive this morning. The Crown Estate are proposing to sell-off their residential property estate, which includes properties in Lee Green, as well as others elsewhere in London.
That’s understandably caused a lot of concern to the tenants and leaseholders of Crown Estate properties in Lee Green.
The Crown Estate have said that the proposal only affects the ‘bricks and mortar’ – e.g. tenancies would remain in place. However, they are exploring a variety of options – they say they want to sell to a ‘focused housing provider’, but admit this could be a private landlord or a social landlord (e.g. a housing association). This is a very important distinction, as the sell-off would affect residents in different ways depending who the buyer is.
I have to say, I’d rather things stayed as they are, but if they are determined to sell-off these properties, then a housing association would be a safer option for the residents as their rent levels are regulated and services are subject to inspection and regulation.
The local Lib Dem team is asking residents to give us their views, and we’ll incorporate these into our official response to The Crown Estate. If you’re an affected resident, do get in touch.
The Crown Estate are also running some drop-in sessions for residents who want to know more. Details of these are in the brochure you should have received – or contact me for more info.
Update: residents now have a petition on the Number 10 website – you can join me and sign it here: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/crownresidents/ There’s also a campaign website online at http://www.ourhomesarenotforsale.co.uk/
23rd March
Frank Dobson Speaks on behalf of Crown Estate Tenants about to loose their homes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNdgdolNdSM
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the link. I think the fact Frank’s supporting this campaign just goes to show this is an issue that has cross-party support – it’s not political, it’s about what’s right and wrong. The ball’s in the Crown Estate’s court now – let’s see whether they do the right thing.
Brian