Lambeth council’s overview and scrutiny committee last night (9 May) rejected a move to reconsider its decision to demolish and rebuild the Cressingham gardens estate overlooking Brockwell Park.
The council’s sole Green councillor, Scott Ainslie, had sought a review of the decision on several grounds, including the council’s “lack of consideration” for an alternative plan for the estate drawn up by residents with the support of an architect and what he said were errors of fact and calculation in the council’s plan.
Despite its rejection of Ainslie’s move, the committee will write to the council’s cabinet with recommendations about the process leading to the final decision. Three members voted not to refer the decision back to the cabinet for review. Five members voted not to refer it back for reconsideration but to send the cabinet their observations on issues that were raised during the meeting.
A council spokesman said: “Lambeth is facing a major housing crisis, and the estate regeneration programme is a key part of the council’s plans to provide more and better homes for the people of the borough.”
The council says the rebuilding of the estate will result in a net gain of 158 extra homes and contribute to its commitment to build 1,000 extra homes at council rent levels.
