The latest Chelsea Society newsletter tells us plans for knocking down Sutton Estate are jolly good and pats Affinity Sutton's £300,000 a year Chief Executive on the back for his development proposal.
If AF get away with it hundreds of millions in profits will flow to its coffers.
Is CEO Exford's remuneration package related to those profits?
The Dame knows not; it would be surprising if there wasn't a correlation.
What is astonishing is that the Society accepts Affinity Sutton's view, despite the protests from residents and lovers of this exceptional piece of philanphropic endevour.
It seems that the Chelsea Society have made up their mind to take the side of the property developing spivs at Affinity Sutton.
When Ian Henderson asked if the Society would give a bit of oxygen to the protesting residents he was rebuffed.
Before Christmas Henderson asked for meeting with the chairman of the Society no reply has been forthcoming.....says it all really.
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| REBUFFING HENDERSON...CLICK TO ENLARGE |
Below, puff for Affinity Sutton in Chelsea Society newsletter.
"Some Sutton residents, led by Ian Henderson (who stood unsuccessfully for election to the Borough Council earlier this year), believe that demolition is unnecessary and accuse Affinity Sutton and the Council of colluding to frustrate the reasonable demands of residents. Affinity say that the old buildings are very hard to reuse, that far better ‘affordable’ flats could be provided in a new estate and that, thanks to Chelsea’s high land values, this can be delivered by devoting part of the site to flats for sale. The Society reckons that, on balance, Affinity’s plan to give the state a good long term future is hard to oppose – particularly as all remaining tenants will, with just one move, be offered flats in the new buildings. Furthermore, the retention of the existing flats above the shops in and adjacent to Chelsea Green, will be a visual reminder of Henry Sutton’s philanthropy."
Does Exford have issues around anger?
ReplyDeleteEven though he may have been sent on an anger management course, that is an outrageous accusation. I am sure he has dealt with his issues by now.
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ReplyDeleteWe have asked the Chelsea Society for their support in the campaign to save the historic Sutton Estate but have heard nothing back from them. They have much more interest in getting involved in the Royal Marsden / Brompton Hospitals disagreement, and supporting a Crossrail 2 station at the fire station and Dovehouse Green (against the wishes of the vast majority of their members), than in supporting the ordinary residents of Chelsea.
The campaign to save the Sutton estate is up against the huge resources of Affinity Sutton, and their PR company, which will demolish the estate, sell off over 50% of the mediocre modern blocks that replace it to the private sector, and leave a profit to the developer in excess of £250 million at the expense of over 380 social housing places.
And where are the Chelsea Society who are meant to be protecting the interests of all who live and work in the area? Up until now, supporting the developers who want to rip the soul out of Chelsea.
If the Chelsea Society cannot stick up for the residents, the Chelsea Society is not fit for use, and desecrating Reginald Blunt's legacy.
Aren't they helping
ReplyDeleteThey have done nothing that we are aware of to support the vast majority of residents and locals opposed to this insidious proposal. If they are unable to fulfil the objectives of their founder, what is the point of the Chelsea Society?
DeleteThe Chelsea Society may have done nothing to help, however, their President, John Simpson, has offered to do whatever he can to help and support the Save the Sutton estate campaign, and we are extremely grateful to him for that.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that the President of the Chelsea Society is helping the Save the Sutton Campaign. I am disappointed that the Society in general is less than enthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteChelsea Society has obviously lost its way. The Leadership is enjoying the power game of hob nobbing with the developers and making learned statements to the media and the Council.
ReplyDeleteBut their job is to represent the interests of their membership. To listen to the members and reflect their opinions.
A clear out is urgent, starting with the Chairman. The Chelsea Society needs a Master Class from the Kensington Society about how to conduct themselves.
Whenever I moved into moribund and bombed out companies that required a turn around, we always looked out for the "God statements" from the Leadership. A sure sign that the organisation had lost its way and people needed to be put out to grass.
ReplyDeleteHopeless leaders always give themselves away with their "God statements". Such as "The Society reckons that Affinity's plan to give the Estate a good long term future is hard to oppose". Sod the residents.
Residents are not able to provide the Chairman and Committee members of the Chelsea Society with jollies - slap up dinners, invitations to Ascot etc. Nor are they able to provide grand opportunities for the Chairman to puff and make grandiose statements to the press. When Chairmen become accustomed to these things (like traveling in the Mayor's Bentley to save taxi fares) then they are well and truly lost as citizens, subjects and servants. These words will give the useless Chairman of the Chelsea Society a sick feeling in his stomach.
DeleteTrougher
Trougher? Reptile, more like.
DeleteThe Chelsea Society is now run by a useless group of Pooterish snobs more interested in serving their own interests and those of their masters than serving the people of Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteHas the Dame set up a Twitter account? Please do! Most effective way to get issues / comments widely circulated
ReplyDeleteThe old thing is working on it but struggles with the 21st C
DeleteMy husband and I have been members of the Chelsea Society for more than twenty years, and I am sure that the vast majority of our members support the campaign to save the estate.
ReplyDeleteIt has become increasingly clear that those entrusted with the running of our society no longer represent the wishes of the members or the interests of the ordinary people of Chelsea. Please do not tar all the members with the same brush. Most of the society's members are against this monstrous plan.
Both my husband and I have signed the petition and we will be asking our neighbours to do likewise.
The Chelsea Society is not here to help keep cheap housing in the area. What makes you people believe you have the right to live in Chelsea?
ReplyDeleteOh, do stop being a nonsensical bore
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