forgiveness is sexy

Southwark Makes Great Leap Forward for Aylesbury Tenants

The first new homes to re-house Aylesbury Estate residents are now under construction, marking a leap forward in Southwark Council’s regeneration plans.

Cllr Richard Thomas, executive member for regeneration, was hands-on at the site as work started on new properties. He was joined by Aylesbury residents, council and NDC officers, and local MP Harriet Harman for the official launch.

The 44-unit development, located between Samuel Street and Daniel Gardens, will be made up of a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, including generous maisonettes and houses with gardens and terraces. Twenty-two of the units will be available for current Aylesbury residents.

The building, designed by Pollard, Thomas and Edwards architects, will be mixed tenure with half the homes for rent and the remainder offered as affordable housing. It is being constructed by Hyde Housing Association, who have a long working relationship with the council.

The development is one of four funded by the Housing Corporation located within a one-mile radius of the estate. These will provide the first 127 homes for Aylesbury tenants in ‘Big Bradenham’, ‘Little Bradenham’, Chiltern, Chartridge, Arklow House’ Red Lion Close.

Cllr Thomas said: This is a fantastic step forward towards a great future. After a substantial period of planning, this is exactly what people have been waiting for, the first new homes for Aylesbury residents going up. The celebration shows the relationship between the council and residents, and we aim to work together to ensure that Aylesbury tenants move into new homes that suit their needs.

I post tat verbatim and comment without irony

The Government has published the GLA Bill proposing an enhanced package of powers for the GLA - the Mayor of London and London Assembly - building on its success to date.

The Bill brings forward legislation to implement many of the outcomes of the review of the Mayor and Assembly’s powers, announced in July. It proposes more strategic powers for the Mayor in key areas including housing and tackling climate change, a strengthened role in planning and waste, and enhanced powers in health and culture.

The Bill also sets out the new powers for the Mayor to amend London boroughs’ local development schemes and to determine planning decisions of strategic importance for the whole of London.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has launched a major consultation on the future of housing in London, arguing that London needs a new housing strategy that is fit for the 21st century.

It follows the Government’s announcement in July to devolve more housing powers to the Mayor, making him responsible for producing London’s Housing Strategy and deciding the broad distribution of investment in affordable homes.

The Mayor launched Towards the Mayor’s Housing Strategy, the consultation document that marks the first step in developing his new statutory Housing Strategy. It outlines the Mayor’s aims to drive up the quality and quantity of new homes, particularly affordable homes, in London.

Read the rest of this entry »