Following the reopening of the Battersea Power Station, campaigners have criticised the development for not providing enough social housing and affordable properties in the midst of a housing crisis in Wandsworth.
The power station opened its doors last weekend to the public following a £9bn revamp which took over ten years.
The 386 affordable homes which have been built are away from the main power station in New Mansion Square.
One bedroom flats at the main site start at £850,000 whilst a three bedroom rooftop flat will set you back £7m.
Andrea Gilbert, from Wandsworth Against Empty Homes, has labelled the redevelopment a failed chance to provide adequate housing to solve the crisis.
“It is a missed opportunity.
We’ve got people in temporary accommodation who have been there for years and don’t know when they’re going to be leaving.
These homes which have been built don’t meet the needs of the residents here.
Some of these homes are like £7 million. Who can afford that?”
The percentage of affordable homes was dropped from 15% to 9% under the previous Conservative regime, and Labour councillors in Wandsworth refused to attend the unveiling of the power station last week.
Whilst some have labelled it as a boycott, Wandsworth councillor and cabinet member for housing Aydin Dikerdem has claimed this is not the case.
“This wasn’t a boycott. We just think that it is important as local representatives that we draw a clear distinction between our public role as fighting for the interests of the people of Wandsworth and the private interests of the shareholders of Battersea Power Station.”
He did, however, reiterate the sentiments of Ms Gilbert that it has been a missed opportunity to contribute to the solution of the housing crisis.
“I wish we had seen a regeneration that built the homes Wandsworth and London desperately needs.”
Conservative councillors did not respond when asked to comment.
The Battersea Power Station Development Company asserted that they have “created a place for people”.
They added “Of the homes built across the masterplan so far, around 20% are affordable and a mechanism has been agreed with LB Wandsworth that provides the possibility for more affordable homes to be delivered in the future.”
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HeadlineBacklash to Battersea Power Station redevelopment over amount of social housing
Short HeadlineSocial housing backlash at Battersea Power Station
StandfirstThe complex has been criticised as only 9% of properties are affordable whilst Wandsworth has a waiting list of over 11,000 for social housing.
Following the reopening of the Battersea Power Station, campaigners have criticised the development for not providing enough social housing and affordable properties in the midst of a housing crisis in Wandsworth.
The power station opened its doors last weekend to the public following a £9bn revamp which took over ten years.
The 386 affordable homes which have been built are away from the main power station in New Mansion Square.
One bedroom flats at the main site start at £850,000 whilst a three bedroom rooftop flat will set you back £7m.
Andrea Gilbert, from Wandsworth Against Empty Homes, has labelled the redevelopment a failed chance to provide adequate housing to solve the crisis.
“It is a missed opportunity.
We’ve got people in temporary accommodation who have been there for years and don’t know when they’re going to be leaving.
These homes which have been built don’t meet the needs of the residents here.
Some of these homes are like £7 million. Who can afford that?”
The percentage of affordable homes was dropped from 15% to 9% under the previous Conservative regime, and Labour councillors in Wandsworth refused to attend the unveiling of the power station last week.
Whilst some have labelled it as a boycott, Wandsworth councillor and cabinet member for housing Aydin Dikerdem has claimed this is not the case.
“This wasn’t a boycott. We just think that it is important as local representatives that we draw a clear distinction between our public role as fighting for the interests of the people of Wandsworth and the private interests of the shareholders of Battersea Power Station.”
He did, however, reiterate the sentiments of Ms Gilbert that it has been a missed opportunity to contribute to the solution of the housing crisis.
“I wish we had seen a regeneration that built the homes Wandsworth and London desperately needs.”
Conservative councillors did not respond when asked to comment.
The Battersea Power Station Development Company asserted that they have “created a place for people”.
They added “Of the homes built across the masterplan so far, around 20% are affordable and a mechanism has been agreed with LB Wandsworth that provides the possibility for more affordable homes to be delivered in the future.”
