Two architecturally acclaimed residential estates in south London, which have been under threat of demolition for more than a decade, have been saved. These are the Cressingham Gardens and Central Hill estates, whose residents have tirelessly campaigned for years to preserve their homes.
Residents claim that these low-density 1960s complexes are significant for their design and are popular among those who live in them. Lambeth Council had argued that the estates were in poor condition and that their demolition would create desperately needed social and affordable housing. These plans were pursued while Lambeth was run by the Labour Party.
The Greens won the most seats in the May elections and now lead the council as a minority administration. The Greens oppose the demolition plans, and it is expected that these plans will be rescinded at a cabinet meeting next week.
A 2022 review conducted by Homes Lambeth, the body then responsible for managing housing on behalf of the council, called the redevelopment plans into question, noting that the net number of social rental homes that would be created would be very small. Sir Bob Kerslake, the former head of the civil service who led the review, said that feedback had been "uniformly negative", with residents of the estates slated for development citing inconsistent policy, delays and poor communication. He added that "as a result, levels of trust in the council are extremely low".
Both threatened estates were designed by a team of Lambeth architects led by Ted Hollamby, who advocated a move away from high-rises towards lower residential buildings. Cressingham Gardens, which borders Brockwell Park, was built to encourage neighbourliness, with entrance doors facing each other and green play areas. The Central Hill project was led by Rosemary Stjernstedt at a time when women were rare in social housing design. The project was built on sloping ground near Crystal Palace, with homes that make maximum use of natural light.
Martin Abrams, the Green leader of Lambeth, stated: "This is a defining moment for Central Hill and Cressingham Gardens. It recognises the relentless work of my colleagues in securing a future for these communities without demolition. We can now focus on investing in residents' homes and returning empty properties to use." Pete Elliott, the cabinet member for housing, said: "We have fought for more than 12 years for a better future for Central Hill and Cressingham Gardens. These proposals end years of uncertainty and put the focus where it belongs: on repairing homes, supporting communities and filling empty properties."
