A Council denies it is in 'secret negotiations' with property developers
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has denied it is in 'secret
negotiations to demolish 800 homes in West Kensington
and replace them with hotels, offices and luxury homes.
Property magazine Estates Gazette reported last week that the council had approached the owners of
the Earl’s Court exhibition centre and offered up large areas
of West Kensington, including Dieppe Close and Gibbs Green
School as part of plans for a massive commercial development
of the neighbouring Earls Court area.
A spokesman for Conservative-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said: "There is no secret about this.
The Council and landowners are in preliminary discussions about regenerating
the area around Earls Court. It would be a crime for a multi million pound
development to take place at Earls Court without also benefitting residents
living on nearby estates."
"This is one of the most deprived commuinities in this part of London.
Regeneration and renewal of key parts of the borough, bringing new jobs,
investment, housing and business opportunities, is one of Hammersmith &
Fulham Council's major priorities."
"There are absolutely no plans or proposals for anything to happen to homes
on the West Kensington Estate at the moment and if and when there were any
such plans, we would of course be talking to residents at the earliest
opportunity."
However, the Labour MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush, Andy Slaughter, said: "This is a highly 'contentious development site'. With these plans H&F Conservatives would force over 800 families out of their homes and with no guarantee of getting an affordable, decent place to live at the end of it. They clearly do not care about the disruption, insecurity or anxiety they are causing to residents of West Kensington."
15 August, 2008
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