"My family lived in Sutton Dwellings Chelsea from when they were built in the early 1900's until last year when my mother died in her flat. Since her death the flat has remained empty - like lots of others - clearly a deliberate ploy to run the estate down.
Most residents do not want a rebuild as the buildings are extremely solidly constructed and only need modest refurbishment. Further, they are clearly going to become unaffordable to the vast majority. Modernisation or a rebuild however is not a bad thing per se but it is morally wrong to make so many available for private sale.
When Charles Sutton bequeathed funds to build estates in London they were expressly for the 'honest poor of London' and were to be available to such at modest rents. Since the arrival of Affinity, the wishes of the founder have been unceremoniously dumped and Affinity clearly see the location of these flats as a potential cash-cow for their projects elsewhere.
Like many objectors, I genuinely worry for the declining culture of Chelsea, as the long term residents find themselves pushed out and the borough becomes a mere portfolio investment for the super rich."
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ReplyDelete"My family lived in Sutton Dwellings Chelsea from when they were built in the early 1900's until last year when my mother died in her flat. Since her death the flat has remained empty - like lots of others - clearly a deliberate ploy to run the estate down.
Most residents do not want a rebuild as the buildings are extremely solidly constructed and only need modest refurbishment. Further, they are clearly going to become unaffordable to the vast majority. Modernisation or a rebuild however is not a bad thing per se but it is morally wrong to make so many available for private sale.
When Charles Sutton bequeathed funds to build estates in London they were expressly for the 'honest poor of London' and were to be available to such at modest rents. Since the arrival of Affinity, the wishes of the founder have been unceremoniously dumped and Affinity clearly see the location of these flats as a potential cash-cow for their projects elsewhere.
Like many objectors, I genuinely worry for the declining culture of Chelsea, as the long term residents find themselves pushed out and the borough becomes a mere portfolio investment for the super rich."
To the point and apt
Quite right !
ReplyDelete