Court allows judicial review of Peabody’s estate demoliton plans

Peabody’s plans to redevelop an estate in south-east London face an uncertain future after a judge agreed to hold a review into the decision to approve the proposals.

The housing association wants to demolish the brutalist Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead and replace it with a new 2,800-home development.

However, the proposals have been controversial among the remaining community on the estate and a legal challenge was brought by resident Adam Turk seeking a review of Bexley Council’s decision to approve them.

According to the BBC, a High Court judge decided on Wednesday to grant permission for a judicial review to proceed, with a hearing expected in the autumn. 

It reports that lawyers representing Turk and other residents had argued that insufficient evidence about the proposals’ greenhouse gas emissions was provided in the planning application, which they argued had the effect of misleading local councillors.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council stressed that the judge’s decision was “a procedural stage in the process” and that “the substantive issues have yet to be considered by the Court”.

The council added that, as the matter was ongoing and before the Court, it “would not be appropriate for the council to comment further”.

A spokesperson for Peabody insisted that a majority of local residents backed its proposal to redevelop the estate, which it said would “help us expand our work and create an even better place for local people to live”. 

“We’re committed to supporting residents from the Lesnes Estate as we create 2,800 much-needed new homes in South Thamesmead,” they said.

“This includes ensuring that Peabody tenants and resident homeowners can stay in the neighbourhood if they wish to through our strong package of financial support.”

Built in the 1960s, the Lesnes Estate is famous for being the backdrop to the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.