A Labour-run council has been criticised by local residents over its decision to demolish a newly built “mutant” tower block in London.
In a petition sent to Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a group of residents and local businesses have urged officials not to raze the block of 204 flats.
The council has decided to tear down Mast Quay just two years after it was built because the Thameside development breached planning conditions. The building deviated from its original planning permissions in dozens of ways, leading one council to dub it a “mutant development”.
An inquiry into the council’s decision to demolish the tower will start this week, increasing pressure on Mr Pennycook, who is also the Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich.
The petition signed by residents said: “While we recognise it is wrong that the building was built to different specifications, it is wholly unreasonable that the remedy to this problem is for a perfectly good building to be demolished and for current tenants to be evicted.
“The thought of being forced out of our homes is absolutely terrifying. London is in the midst of a housing crisis. Surely there is a solution that doesn’t result in families evicted and homes destroyed.
“We want common sense to prevail. We are asking that all parties come together to negotiate a compromise that allows all existing tenants to stay in their current homes.”
Labour’s new housing minister has already been scrutinised since his appointment after it emerged earlier this month that he tried to block a separate £770m development.
It is understood he has been asked by residents to visit Mast Quay.
The controversies will also raise questions over the Government’s housing goals, particularly after Sir Keir Starmer vowed to rip up planning rules to build 1.5m new homes.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich, which is dominated by Labour councillors, last year took the “unprecedented” step to order the demolition of Mast Quay after counting 26 major deviations from the original planning permission it granted.
Anthony Okereke, leader of the council, said at the time: “This decision is not one that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken lightly, but I believe it is reasonable and proportionate to the scale and seriousness of the situation.
“The right thing to do is not usually the easy thing to do.”
His views were echoed by Councillor Aidan Smith, cabinet member for regeneration, who said Comer Homes, which delivered the scheme, was responsible for creating a “mutant development that is a blight on the landscape”.
Comer has vowed to correct the council’s “inaccuracies”, describing the proposed demolition as “disproportionate”.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “We are aware that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken enforcement action against the Mast Quay development in Woolwich, and this has been appealed by the developer.
“The appeal will be determined by the planning inspectorate, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A spokesman for the Royal Borough of Greenwich added: “We have not seen a petition from local residents and are unable to comment further, as the applicant has exercised their right to appeal the enforcement notice.”
Source Agencies
