MP calls for more affordable flats on estate
An MP has called on the developer of a London estate to withdraw its planning application because not enough "truly affordable" homes would be provided.
The Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes said the Heygate Estate re-building scheme demolishes over 1,000 homes at council rents.
But he said it would create only eight.
Southwark Council said there will be 18 other homes at a range of social rents and that of the 235 homes, a total of 54 will be classed as affordable.
The re-development of the Heygate Estate forms a key part of the £1.5bn plan to regenerate Elephant and Castle over 15 years.
Mr Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark has written to Simon Hipperson, Europe chief executive officer of the developer Lend Lease.
He said it was "completely unacceptable" to create only eight homes at council rents, when over 1,000 are being demolished.
He added: "It is completely possible for the council and Lend Lease to come to a better position about truly affordable homes."
A spokeswoman for Southwark Council said there will be 26 homes for rent in phase one of the scheme, included in the 54 affordable homes.
Eight will be at "normal social rent" and 18 will be "affordable rent flats".
Mr Hipperson said Lend Lease was committed to ensuring 25% of the scheme was affordable housing.
A decision is expected to be made on the master plan of the redevelopment scheme before Christmas, a spokeswoman said.