GMB support protest over 34 estates facing demolition
GMB London support November 3 protest at City Hall over exclusion of residents on 34 estates facing demolition from Mayor's new ballots rules
Exclusion is unacceptable and will not be accepted by the residents so Sadiq Khan and his advisers must go back to the drawing board and guarantee these residents ballots with no conditions, says GMB London
GMB London Region is supporting a protest demonstration over the exclusion of the residents on 34 council estates in London facing demolition from recent new ballot rules required by London Mayor Sadiq Khan for such estates facing demolition.
Details of the protest are as follows:
Saturday 3 November
12 Noon
City Hall
The Queen's Walk
London
SE1 2AA
In July 2018 Sadiq Khan agreed that residents on estates threatened with demolition will have a ballot to find out whether they agree with "regeneration" or not.
However, he has denied 34 estates a ballot by signing off the finances. Now these estates, such as Cressingham Gardens, Ebury Bridge, the Aylesbury, plus many others, are demanding a ballot as well. Why is democracy good for the other estates but not for the 34? [See notes to editors below for list of the estates excluded]
The protest is organised by Homes for All, Save Cressingham, Radical Housing Network and Defend Council Housing. In the weeks after the rally, Cressingham Gardens, Ebury Bridge, Fenwick and Achilles are holding a daily vigil at City Hall demanding to meet Sadiq Khan. When they meet him, campaigners will demand a guaranteed ballot, with no conditions.
In a joint statement, organisers for the protest said:
"There are 31,000 residents who will be affected by demolition on 118 estates in the next decade. Nearly 8,000 homes will definitely be lost, and the total could eventually be much greater.
“Meanwhile, homelessness is soaring. Families on Council housing waiting lists are giving up hope, and private renters are being ripped off unmercifully. This means that many people are being economically and socially cleansed from London altogether.
“Nothing less than a big land grab is going on all over London. This means the building of luxury flats instead of secure Council homes at low rents.
“We say every resident has a right to a vote before any demolition. Fix up our homes - don't demolish them. End the housing market madness.
"NO DEMOLITION WITHOUT PERMISSION.
"MORE SOCIAL HOUSING - SAFE AND SECURE HOMES FOR ALL.
"USE PUBLIC LAND TO BUILD MORE COUNCIL HOMES.
"END THE MADNESS OF THE HOUSING MARKET.
“In the weeks after the rally, Cressingham Gardens, Ebury Bridge, Fenwick and Achilles are holding a daily vigil at City Hall demanding to meet Sadiq Khan. When they meet him, campaigners will demand a guaranteed ballot, with no conditions.
"JOIN THE RALLY AND FIGHT FOR A HOUSING POLICY THAT MAKES SENSE.”
Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary said:
"GMB Congress called for all GMB branches to support residents on estates facing demolition to ensure that they have a proper input into the what happens on their estates.
“Sadiq Khan promised ballots in his 2016 election manifesto. He made good this promise this summer with his ballot process. This is welcome but more work is needed to end possible drafting loopholes and exceptions.
“However the wholesale exclusion of residents of these 34 estates facing demolition from the election manifesto promise is simply not acceptable and will not be accepted by the residents. Sadiq Khan and his advisers must go back to the drawing board and guarantee these residents ballots with no conditions."
END
Contact: For organisers call 020 7622 7201 or email fmilson119@gmail.com or for GMB call Vaughan West 07967 342 197 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114 762
Notes to editors
List of the estates facing demolition and excluded from Sadiq Khan ballots process.
CAMDEN
Abbey area
Agar Grove
Maitland Park
Tybald's Estate
TOWER HAMLETS
Aberfeldy
Blackwell Reach
Chrisp Street Market
Exmouth Estate
Jubilee Street
Locksley site A
New Union Wharf
Ocean Estate
ENFIELD
Alma estate
Ladderswood Way estate
Avenue Estate
SOUTHWARK
Aylesbury Estate
Elmington Estate
Snowsfield (Guiness)
KINGSTON
Cambridge Road
HACKNEY
Colville Estate
Holly Street Estate
King's Crescent
Nightingale
Woodberry Down Estate
GREENWICH
Connaught Estate etc
LAMBETH
Cressingham
Fenwick
Knight's Walk
Loughborough Park
South Lambeth Estate
Westbury
WESTMINSTER
Ebury Bridge
EALING
Dean Gardens
Friary Park
Green Man Lane
Greenford golf links
Hanwell High Lane
Havelock Estate, Ealing
Rectory Park
LEWISHAM
Franklin Estate
Heathside and Lethbridge
BARKING AND DAGENHAM
Gascoigne Estate
BARNET
Grahame Park
BRENT
South Kilburn
RICHMOND
Ham Close
MERTON
High Path, Eastfields
WALTHAM FOREST
Lisgar Terrace
KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
William Sutton Esate
Wornington Green
HAVERING
Napier House & New Plymouth House
Orchard Estate
Waterloo Estate
