Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Queen Caroline Estate: Stephen Greenhalgh on the spot
The Queen Caroline Estate and numerous others, some in W12 some in other parts of the Borough, are apparently going to be knocked down and replaced, with residents having to move elsewhere. The only question is what will replace the homes.
None of this directly affects Shepherd's Bush but it is relevant to us because there are real questions about whether the Council has been entirely open and truthful with residents. I last reported on this here.
I was sent a YouTube video this week by the Leader of the Labour Opposition group on the Council which appears to show the Leader of the Council, Stephen Greenhalgh, being forced by local residents at a public meeting to admit that contrary to his council's official line they had indeed had discussions with property developers about the future of the estates. Officially they have not. See what I mean?! If there is a lack of transparency about this what could it mean, for example, about the future of Shepherd's Bush Green?
This is not a political website and so I have not reproduced the video here, but it has been widely reported in the Guardian here and it was on the BBC's Politics Show on sunday (the above video) Watch and make your own mind up as to what is going on!
UPDATE 19 JUNE 2009 The video above, which is from YouTube, was actually posted online by H&F Council's own press office. So full marks to them - it doesnt paint them in a very good light but they put it up anyway so people could see it which I think deserves some credit. I know they read this blog so thanks from me and no doubt readers too.
Interesting that it is H&F who are going to buy the old laundry site off Pennard Road to help expand the Market. I thought housing was to be built here, with monies from Westfield and the flats at the corner of Ariel Way seem also to have been shelved, not that I would wish that site to become home to anyone!
ReplyDelete[...] an awful lot of votes from the good residents of Goldhawk Road if the Council went ahead and stayed true to form by ignoring residents in favour of [...]
ReplyDelete[...] to some peristent questioning from a number of residents about various planning decisions made and yet to be made, said that he was “proud” of the Council and highlighted that they had delivered [...]
ReplyDeleteI admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.Great stuff as usual
ReplyDeleteHaving just seen that clip I am very worried about the future plans. Clearly refurbishment is in the pipeline. I fear that many residents will loose their established 'homes' quite simply because there is a new agenda for the central hammersmith area. It's really sad because what those in power are really saying is "lets ged rid of the council tenants and make far better use of this space". This essentially equates, social housing is fine but not on this prize peice of land...lets have it somewhere else, somewhere more appropriate/fitting. Very condescending. This act will only marginalise and further demonstrate inequality of class.
ReplyDelete