Opposition to the Housing Bill is building. The Chair of KPETRA, Joan Twelves, has written a blog post about it, explaining the devastating effect it could have on residents of Kennington Park Estate. It can be found by clicking here or https://joantwelves.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/the-great-london-clearances/ More actions against the Bill are being planned and details will be posted here.
Good News! Our big gasholder has been granted Grade II listed status. The gasholder is an important part of the Oval and Kennington Development Area (OAKDA), for which Lambeth Council and Berkeley Homes are currently working up the development masterplan. This is what the BBC News website says: The Victorian gasholder that looms over the Oval cricket ground in south London has been granted Grade II status. The wrought-iron structure in Kennington was the largest gasholder in the world when it was built in 1847. Gasholder No. 1 was rebuilt in 1877-79, just before the first Test match in England was played at the Oval in 1880. The historical, architectural and technical background of the gasholder and its importance to the landscape led to it being granted protected status. ‘Iconic backdrop’ Emily Gee, head of designation at government heritage agency Historic England, which recommended the structure for listing, said…
Several Kennington Park Estate residents joined the local south London March against the Housing Bill yesterday. Opposition to the Bill is building. The next big event is on 13 March. More information about the Bill can be found here
Laziness is not a quality that people want to be associated with. That’s why this jab by Zac Goldsmith towards fellow mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan sounded quite effective: http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/14257857.Zac_Goldsmith_brands_Sadiq_Khan__lazy__over_affordable_housing_debate/?ref=rss But it seems that when it really comes to it, yesterday both were too lazy to both show up to a key debate about housing in this city: http://www.theplanner.co.uk/news/mayoral-hustings-on-housing-to-go-ahead-without-khan
Hornby Art Club All ages & families welcome – Wednesday 17 February 11-2.30: Free Hornby Art Club visit for KPE children & families to meet artist in residence Evelyn O’Connor (just for us!) at Beaconsfield Gallery & visit the new Newport Street Gallery. Refreshments provided. Meet Hornby House 11am. Links below: Beaconsfield http://beaconsfield.ltd.uk/projects/evelyn-oconnor-alchemy/ Newport Street Gallery http://www.newportstreetgallery.com/
“This time it is the estates that replaced those Victorian streets that are being destroyed. It turns out that, if some of these estates are as bad as myth has it, others were thoughtfully and beautifully designed, whose problems, if any, are often due to their being poorly looked after by the local authorities who own them.” http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jan/31/council-estates-if-they-arent-broken-lambeth-council-central-hill-estate-social-housing-affordable?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Central Hill is a housing estate in Upper Norwood (Lambeth Council) that has been getting growing coverage in the media, and from groups such as Architects for Social Housing. The controversy surrounding the estate seems, at times, completely at odds to the apparent reality of the estate itself. https://architectsforsocialhousing.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/central-hill-community/ https://architectsforsocialhousing.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-defence-of-central-hill/
I have a fundamental problem with the term “sink estate”. I think it is derogatory, unnecessary and undermining. But people insist on still using it. Despite this flaw, I think this article is quite an interesting read: http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2016/feb/03/demolish-sink-estates-homes-david-cameron-bratislava?CMP=share_btn_tw
The Architects’ Journal is something I read every week, so it’s heartening to see some more opinion about the Governments’ plans: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/opinion/park-the-housing-bills-implications-are-devastating/10001344.fullarticle (link available to subscribers) A taster from the article: “Like others, we’re replacing housing that was built in the 80s – only 30 years ago. This housing hasn’t suddenly failed; it was never good enough. Small, inaccessible, not energy efficient and poorly built – many of these were ‘starter homes’ – a quick vote-winning fix with little regard for quality of life or longevity. Here we go again. “
To tenants and leaseholders of Kennington Park Estate You are invited to attend a Meeting of the Kennington Park Estate Tenants’ Association To be held at 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm on Wednesday 17 February 2016 at the Kennington Park Estate Community Centre All tenants and leaseholders are members of the Association and welcome to attend meetings 6.30 pm – Oval Ward councillor and Housing Officer available to consult for advice plus refreshments Prompt start of meeting at 7.00 pm A G E N D A Welcome and Introductions Apologies for absence Minutes of the last meeting of the Association held on 18 November 2015 here: For approval Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting Housing management and estate management issues. (Reports and queries from tenants and leaseholders for the attention of HSH management) Briefing on new cleaning and grounds maintenance contract: Tony O’Connell (Hyde Estate Services Contracts…