Public Question Time (15 Minutes)
To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the cabinet procedure rules. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Wednesday 14 June 2017.
Minutes:
Public Question from Paul Palley
Given that three people, a planning Inspector, a High Court Judge and the Secretary of State have said separately that Compulsory Purchase Orders cannot be granted, would the London Borough of Southwark consider abandoning demolition and forced sales on the Aylesbury Estate?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Homes
No.
Since 2005, the council has been taking forward the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate on the basis of redevelopment rather than refurbishment. The council considers that this approach is the only viable way to provide the quality of housing and living environment that residents deserve. The decision in 2005 was informed by detailed consideration of the quality and condition of the building fabric and the design constraints of the existing estate layout. This redevelopment approach was subsequently supported by the Aylesbury Area Action Plan adopted in 2010 which established the redevelopment approach into planning policy, was thoroughly tested through a public inquiry, and supported by an independent planning inspector. The approach was further supported by the granting of outline planning permission for the masterplan in 2015 which followed further public consultation. Two Compulsory Purchase Orders have already been confirmed by the secretary of state for site 7 and Phase 1a on the estate and 408 new homes and a community centre have been built on those sites. 53% of the new homes are affordable (based on number of habitable rooms) and several are occupied by former residents of the estate.
The council undertook an extensive competitive dialogue process to procure a development partner and is in contract with NHHT to deliver the redevelopment of the estate.
In relation to the Compulsory Purchase Order for the First Development Site, the Secretary of State and Inspector both supported the need to redevelop the estate in order to bring about wider area regeneration. The decision by the Secretary of State to refuse the confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order has now been quashed and the council has submitted a revised Statement of Case which will be considered by a Public Inquiry in the near future. Detailed planning consent for the redevelopment of the FDS was granted and implementation of this planning consent has commenced with the demolition of four vacant blocks on the FDS, through a demolition contract entered into in 2016.
Paul Palley was unable to attend the cabinet meeting. The response to this question would be emailed to him.