I would just like to say thank you for trying to save our flats in Chelsea. I went to see the new homes which are an example of what Suttons are going to try and get planning permission to do on our estate.
Firstly they state they are better homes for all of us. Well I totally disagree with what I saw of the new homes, they did not impress me at all.
Firstly they state they are better homes for all of us. Well I totally disagree with what I saw of the new homes, they did not impress me at all.
The home I live in is much better which most people on the visit agreed. We do not want this redevelopment to go ahead. If we have to take these new homes it will break families up as there is not enough room to have children and grandchildren visit and have dinner, as there is no where you can sit and eat. I think the designer done these flats and realized he forgot to put kitchens in them, realized he forgot to put kitchens in and as an afterthought decided to put a row of cabinets in the sitting room and call it a kitchen. I would have more room in a coffin. As for the winter garden, it is a large plant bed. I had more space in my unmodernised flat 30 years ago when I had a bath in my kitchen with a work top.
They state they are putting planning permission in as some blocks that are empty do not meet the needs of social housing, well why don’t they do what they did to all the other flats on the estate, knock through and modernize. It is good enough for the ones that are not being knocked down wonder why? Money that’s what this is all about so they get the flats. Also they (social housing) are around the back of the site from Private buyers. I think it is unfair to put us social housing people at the back of the flats while private buyers have to be facing the front and have the best views. Shame on them, William Sutton must be turning in his grave.
If a flat is worth 1 million plus let the rich buy their own homes they can afford it. Social Housing is needed badly in London. Who needs underground parking and penthouses on the estate for the rich; this was meant to be an estate for the needy people, stop discriminating us for being poorer. Leave us social housing residents alone. I think we should have a door to door petition before planning is put in. There are over 1000 people supporting saving the Estate on Facebook. All the excuses they are making for planning permission is nothing to do with this, it is all for selling and making money. Just wanted to let you know my views and a lot more are thinking the same.
They state they are putting planning permission in as some blocks that are empty do not meet the needs of social housing, well why don’t they do what they did to all the other flats on the estate, knock through and modernize. It is good enough for the ones that are not being knocked down wonder why? Money that’s what this is all about so they get the flats. Also they (social housing) are around the back of the site from Private buyers. I think it is unfair to put us social housing people at the back of the flats while private buyers have to be facing the front and have the best views. Shame on them, William Sutton must be turning in his grave.
If a flat is worth 1 million plus let the rich buy their own homes they can afford it. Social Housing is needed badly in London. Who needs underground parking and penthouses on the estate for the rich; this was meant to be an estate for the needy people, stop discriminating us for being poorer. Leave us social housing residents alone. I think we should have a door to door petition before planning is put in. There are over 1000 people supporting saving the Estate on Facebook. All the excuses they are making for planning permission is nothing to do with this, it is all for selling and making money. Just wanted to let you know my views and a lot more are thinking the same.
The Save Our Sutton / Save The Sutton Estate Supporters have also been informed of a terrible ordeal residents in Chadwick Mews, Easthampstead had to endure after moving in to new premises built in 2011. The article highlights the fact that just because something is new does not always mean better.
Read the article:
'Nightmare' three-year wait for heating and hot water
Shocking! Where is Victoria Borwick to speak out for less affluent residents?
ReplyDeleteAfter 10 years + of this kind of 'development' occurring in the borough she's just doing what the majority party have been doing for all that time. Homes on Wornington Green that are in superb condition with new kitchens and bathrooms, well-kept, south facing gardens and properly sized rooms will be destroyed in the next 6 months. Who cares? Petit bourgeoise Chinese people are throwing their money at Catalyst and RBKC and that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong but isn't Greg Hands the MP?
DeleteVictoria is the Conservative candidate for Kensington.
Same Old , Same Old , incompetent impotence from the Stanley Ward Councillors, and new broom VB is yet to act . Why, Why , Why ?, thats the question we all need to be asking ourselves .
DeleteLook these 'social housing ' tenants have no right to live in Chelsea . They should be happy to get a cheap home anywhere . They are a drain on resources . Why is this woman bothered about where she's settled - she's getting a cheap flat - what more does she want - she should be happy with what she's given - wherever it is - enough said
ReplyDeleteI like the cut of your jib and agree that social tenants should do a damn sight more forelock tugging rather than all this whining. They should be grateful to have a house at all, I'd bring back the workhouse. Send them all to The North. There's nothing up there anyway. This woman, as you say, shouldn't be bothered about where she's settled. She should be happy that she's allowed to live at all.
Delete16:57 stop being an arsehole. Your laboured attempts at humour are soooo boring. If her family are all Chelsea brn and bred she has every right.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think the author sums it all up perfectly .
ReplyDeleteAs a resident of Affinity Sutton on the Chelsea site, I also went on a trip to see an estate that is currently undergoing redevelopment in Sutton. When it was first announced that the estate was to be knocked down and rebuilt I wasn't too happy, but having seen the plans and been on the road trip I can't wait for it to happen, Don't get me wrong I love the look of our estate but it is sadly in need up updating. There are some lovely big flats on this estate but there are also an awful lot of small flats here as well which are just not big enough to accommodate growing families. The estate we went to see what lovely, it was bright and airy and you were not overlooking another flat and seeing into someone else's bedroom which unfortunately is the case where I am now. The majority of the people on our trip were very happy with the new layouts. The other thing I really liked at the new development was the Community Centre. There were qutie a number of activities advertised and taking place and it also had a coffee shop which I thought was a great idea and really brought residents together. There are people for and people against the development and to be honest, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but all we seem to be hearing about is those against the redevelopment.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my name comes up as anonymous I am happy to give my name: Anne Mclean
And if you don't want to leave Chelsea and move to Sutton?
ReplyDeleteno one is talking about leaving Chelsa and moving to Sutton. It was an estate in Sutton that they took us to see so that we could see a redevelopment in progress.
DeleteEveryone who is a permanent resident on the Chelsea estate are guaranteed flats in the new development.
Yes, and if you took the troyble to read the letter there is dissatisfaction with the proposed new flats...keep up please
ReplyDeleteAs I said there are those for the new development and those against, everyone is entitled to their opinion so please do not be so condescending to those that have a different opinion to you. I am merely stating my point of view.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the above letter, if the person writing it has enough room in their flat for their extended family to come and sit round a table for dinner whilst overlooking the park, then how lucky are they. My flat is tiny and my view from the window is another block, we have one member of our family sleeping on the settee as we are in desperate need of a 3rd bedroom. My kitchen is so small, that it is a struggle having 2 people in there and as for a table to sit round to all eat together well that would be sheer luxury. As I mentioned not all flats on the estate are large, some are extremely small.
Anne, this is not an either/or situation. On Wornington Green there were a number of very poorly maintained homes that were too small for tenants and their now-adult children. There were a lot of elderly people in 2 or 3 bedroom homes. The new homes that have been built are wonderful if you are an elderly person who previously lived in a damp flat that kept falling apart.
DeleteHowever, if you lived in a home with a garden you lost your garden: there are none in the new development. People moving from a two bedroom home to a two bedroom unit are forced to get rid of furniture because it won't fit in. They're told to suck it up because "This is a new start."
It's always summer on plans. Skinny white people walk happily under trees. They don't show you the endless faults, the ceiling that falls onto your bed, the lift that fails, the abysmal building standards, the fact that you may not dry washing on your minute balcony which, on the plans was enormous, or that your curtains will be chosen for you.
And of course, you are consenting to living on a building site for a decade. You don't get used to the noise, the dust or the endless new neighbours who don't know or care how your community works.
You should have a flat that you and your family are comfortable and happy in. That does not mean that people who are already comfortable and happy should have their home destroyed.
I totally agree, there are people for the development and those against it. But its only fair to have all voices heard not just those that are against it. Surely everyone should be entitled to a decent standard of living.
DeleteThere are lots of people with overcrowding issues on the estate - there are no guarantees for anybody that their issues will be addressed - if and when the rebuild goes ahead. Why don't they just get on with renovating the estate. Affinity Sutton have got the money - they had a £75 Million surplus (profit ) this year .The real reason for the demolition is the increase in profit if they do rebuild - which i've been told is £250 Million . Its seems like a hammer to crack a nut. Or am i missing something and have you been promised a larger property in the new development , which if you have , would seem like a reasonable motive for supporting the demolition.
ReplyDeleteNice one Anne McLean I cant be as brave as you and give my name because I don't want to have any personal dealings with the over bearing, bullying and negative element in the NO camp.
ReplyDeleteI’ve also been on a tour of a new development and along with almost all the others on the full coach, I was delighted with the tour organisation and what I saw. I love my flat and I've spent time and money making it home, I'm a good tenant, I cause no trouble and I pay my rent in full and on time.......and there's the clue...RENT, I'm not an owner occupier and my landlord can do whatever necessary with THEIR property. The fact that Affinity want to provide me with a beautiful new flat at an affordable rent makes them an excellent landlord in my book. This estate isn't prison, no one's forced to stay, there's always options like mutual exchange or private renting, Affinity is a landlord, not a parent. What if planning permission gets denied? Does Affinity just say "OK the "NO" brigade you win, we'll leave the estate as it is".....don't think so....... they might start looking at their other options like selling off the estate, then what? Who'll be the Landlord and how much rent will we have to pay to stay here (if we’re allowed)? What'll be done then about all the massive work that needs doing to bring the estate up to standard?
Me and my family cant wait for our new flat so together with many other good tenants who go quietly about their business rather than enter hostilities of the fray, we’re firmly in the YES camp for redevelopment……..BRING IT ON !!!!
You are quite right in what you say, we rent the property, we don't own it. Can't wait for my new, bright flat.
DeleteLisa Louis, you are the PR for Affinity Sutton and not a tenant of the estate. Please stop posting this nonsense.
DeleteThe bullying on the estate has been going on for years, and all the residents are aware of the Affinity Sutton employee responsible, and many are very scared of her.
DeleteWe all know about the way flats were allocated, and tenants scared, and Affinity Sutton have done nothing to keep their staff under control.
It's not really fair to attack Lisa Louis who is probably only obeying orders from her boss Keith Exford. She may not know what she's doing, but that does not make her a bad person.
DeleteSo are you saying that this Lisa Louis is incompetent rather than evil?
DeleteBoth !
DeleteI've lived on this estate for over 19 years and have never encountered any bullying and haven't heard of any going on and I know a number of residents on this estate. I also don't know of any that are scared of affinity sutton staff???
DeleteI do have to say that I have found a number of comments on your site to be of a very bullying nature especially if someone doesn't have the same opinion as yourself. All very well when it is anonymous... if your going to bully someone at least own up to who you are.
Lucky you. We have to stay anonymous because of repeated intimidation .
DeleteLucky you. We have to stay anonymous because of repeated intimidation .
DeleteI see what you did there.
DeleteThere's only 3 - 3 beds in the new build - so good luck with trying to get one of those. The proposed Community Centre will be run as a Commercial Operation and on top of that - we get a road running right through the middle of the estate - we have enough pollution already. The estate was built so that working families could have a normal family life , kitchen , bathroom, dining room. Shouldn't any redevelopment look to improve the facilities for existing tenants- rather than building lots of 'shoe boxes ' .You cant blame the writer of the letter for looking for at least the same facilities that they have now .
ReplyDeleteI am not having a go at the person who wrote the letter and yes, you should be able to have the same facilities you have now, but what about those on the estate that don't have those facilities, surely we are all entitled to have the same facilities? Note sure where you got the information that there are only going to be 3 x 3 beds?? That's not the information that was given at the meetings regarding the redevelopment. The information that I was given is that your new flat will reflect your housing need, therefore, if you require a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom flat then that is what you will receive. I can totally understand that those in larger flats would not want to give up their larger flat with their spare rooms so that when family come they have the space for them to stay. I would feel the same way. The above person commented on the road running through the estate, I have to say I don't agree with having the road and feel it is not needed. But you also say "working families could have a normal family life , kitchen , bathroom, dining room" as I mentioned above, it would be lovely to have a decent size kitchen and as for a dining room.... luxury, rather than eating from your lap as we currently have to do as there is no room for a table. Everyone should be entitled to have a decent home and not just the lucky few that have the good size flats.
ReplyDeleteThe money bequeathed by William Sutton was to give a better standard of living for the 'poor' - not so it could be carved up and sold off to overseas investors. Would he have left his money to social housing - if he knew that other people were looking to profit from his bequest. How many 3 Bed flats are there going to be ? Have you been told exact figures - ill bet not. Funny how there is a complete lack of any detail in the Consultations. Resident Involvement - PAH -
ReplyDeleteThat was over 100 years ago, times change. I can't remember exactly how many 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats there were going to be, I think off-hand that there are going to be 18 x 3 bedroom flats. If you went the consultation events then you would have been given all the information.
ReplyDeleteI was and there was a complete lack of detail and lots of hostility when i asked for detailed answers. 14 Four Bedroom Penthouses for private sale and residents like you are crying out for larger properties - Think about it !
DeleteTheres a reduction in Social Housing - what happens to the Children of those who live on the estate now when they grow up. Affinity Sutton should be ' curators ' of the bequest rather than profiting from it - so there is a legacy is 100 Years for our Childrens , Children. What happens in 30 Years when the 'new' flats have to be refurbished again . Are they going to knock those down - sell a few off ( 60 per cent as they are planning to do with this development ) then eventually there will be no Social Housing left on the estate in the fullness of time. Can't you view the proposals with the same amount of philanthropy that William Sutton held, instead of ie ' Im alright Jack - sod people's housing needs in 30 years
ReplyDeleteOh come off it, you really think that everyone who either does or doesn't want the redevelopment is not looking out for themselves?? At least I am honest about it, yes, I do want the redevelopment so that i can live in a better home than I am in at the moment. Do you really think the children years ago were given a place on the estate when they grew up?. My brother-in-law was born and brought up on the estate along with his 7 brothers and sisters. When he asked about getting onto the estate 30 years ago was told he no chance! You think its going to be so different etiher now or in 30 years time???
DeleteNot exactly what the ' Will ' said is it .
Delete16:50 did you and your kids miss out on the cheap rented accommodation of the GLC days?
DeleteYour 'honesty' in looking out for yourself while everyone else can go to hell might be currently fashionable, but people who live on estates have long memories. Why should anyone give a damn about what happens to you and your family?
People like you, who like shiny new things and would really, really like to own their own new glittery flat but have no hope in ever affording it, ensure that it won't be different in 30 years. You're canon fodder for developers.
What about the Islington Sutton Estate - where Affinity Sutton , after the refurb tried to whack the rents up by 50 per cent . It was only the involvement of the local MP that stopped it .
ReplyDeleteYou should be thanking the people running the campaign for trying to point out the reality of the situation - what do they have to gain . Can't you see you are being used by AS .
ReplyDeleteIt appears the only people who can comment on here are those that are against the redevelopment. Anyone else who has a different opinion is slated.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a Facebook page dear. If you can's stand the heat . . .
DeleteLisa Louis, you are the PR for Affinity Sutton and not a tenant of the estate. Please stop posting this nonsense.
DeleteThe only people who will be rehoused will be the official tenants; if they have adult children or an adult relative living with them, those people will NOT be rehoused. The rents of the new flats will be higher and the Council Tax will probably be at Band H because the new flats will be valued at that level. People with a spare bedroom now will not have a spare bedroom in their new flat - they will not be entitled to it. Just get real. This redevelopment is not going to benefit the current residents.
ReplyDelete