The Community Secretary's decision to reject the compulsory purchase of eight remaining properties on a development site, is due to come under fire as Southwark Council is looking for a judicial review.

When the decision was made to reject in regards to the Aylesbury estate, Sajid Javid said that Southwark council had not done enough to acquire the land by terms of agreement. The minister had also decided that the CPO was breaching the human rights of the other leaseholders. It would force them to delve in to their savings to buy a new property. However Southwark Council have said that Sajid Javid comments and findings were based on the former leasehold policy which had been updated in late 2015 and then shared with the Secretary of State. The council argued that the new approach was not reflected in the decision to reject.

Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "This decision puts Southwark and all councils who are trying to build new homes for our residents between a rock and hard place. We can either fight this decision or scrap our plans to regenerate the Aylesbury estate, leaving the hopes and dreams of thousands of local people in tatters. I’m not willing to do that, which is why we will take court action if necessary to try to overturn this bizarre decision.

"I honestly don’t know what the Government’s policy is on estate regeneration any more, as they say one thing and do another. By this decision they are jeopardising plans for 800 new homes for Londoners. Of course the human rights of our residents are important, which is why each of the remaining resident leaseholders has been offered a brand new home in the same area, rent-free, and with a shared equity arrangement which protects the money they’ve saved and invested. I’m afraid that we can’t just keep offering them more and more taxpayers’ money.”

Cllr John added: "In his report the Secretary of State recognises that the scheme is viable, that it brings economic and social benefits to the area and that refurbishment is not an option. Our plans offer the only way forward for the positive regeneration of an area of London that desperately needs it, and I’m determined that we will keep going to provide high-quality, affordable homes for local people. I hope he will listen to reason but failing that, we will take this to court. We will also continue with our regeneration of other parts of the estate that are not affected by this decision."

Author: Lauren Angell, Event Manager, CPT Events

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