Dear Peter Tew,
Thank you for your letter of 26th March 2002 responding to our concerns
over development on the Pepys estate, Deptford, London, SE8.
We believe that this is an exceptional and interesting case, and would
be an appropriate one for the Secretary of State to look at in full detail.
The following highlight why we believe this :
1 - Decanting of secure Council tenants has taken place over the latter two/three years - before a full proposal put to all tenants.
In the case of Aragon Tower a full proposal still does not exist. Only an 'intention' to sell the property to a private developer. This is from its present 100% secure Council tenancies.
2 - Original consultations were undertaken on the basis that tenants were led to believe that properties would remain as social housing. This is also true in the case of Aragon Tower, as wel as the five low rise blocks effected by the overall proposal.
3 - Two identical tower blocks to Aragon Tower - Daubeny and Eddystone -
have been refurbished as 100% social housing - secure Council tenancies.
4 - Albemarle House - of the low rise stilt / scissors type - has been refurbished in 2000. An identical block to the threatened by demolition blocks of Barfleur House, Dolben Court and Limberg House.
5 - Estate Action on Pepys beginning in 1992 has refurbished eight blocks
identical to the threatened by demolition blocks of Marlowe House and Millard House.
Across Greater London all Councils are considering refurbishment as a high priority to buildings from all periods of the twentieth century, becasue when brought up to modern standards they are good housing stock. It also preserves the existing community of the people who live there.
The last consultation with Aragon Tower tanants took place in late 1999. When it was then believed that the proposal was for refurbishment by a Housing Association - remaining for social housing.
In the Evelyn Ward of Deptford, London Borough of Lewisham, the representation
by our local Councillors has not been forthcoming. They have not attended at local community meetings, e.g, Pepys Neighbourhood Committee, for over eighteen months. It has therefore been left to tenants themselves to make representations to the full Council of Lewisham. Which TAG has done consistently and democratically.
We believe that the Community Masterplan is unique in giving a genuine
voice tp people who wish to remain in the local community. We want to keep Aragon Tower for social houing - not privatisation.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm Cadman, Secretary TAG
April 2002
The above indicates that refurbishment can be done, and has been done in the last ten years, to identical properties. The buildings are structurally
sound and built to Parker Morris standards.