…BUT GLA MEMBER SIAN BERRY SAYS MONEY ONLY AVAILABLE TO LANDLORDS AND COUNCILS
London Assembly Green Party member Sian Berry says the money is only available to landlords and councils.
“The Mayor of London needs to step in where the Government has shut out estate residents from deciding the future of their homes.
“They know the areas they live in better than anyone, don’t want to see their homes demolished and their ideas need funding too.
“I have been pushing the Mayor to support community-led housing in London and to take up my idea of a Community Homes Unit of experts at City Hall.
“The Mayor should provide expertise and grants for residents to get involved in planning at an early stage and develop viable proposals and take ownership of their estates.”
The panel of experts who produced estates regeneration guidance was co-chaired by Lord Heseltine.
When the funding was initially announced in February Lord Heseltine said: “I am clear that this has to be locally led and we must work with the residents of such estates.
“I now want to see local communities coming forward with innovative ideas to achieve desirable neighbourhoods that local people can be proud of.”
In a Department for Communities and Local Government press release dated 9th February 2016 headed “Heseltine launches panel of experts to kick-start estates regeneration” Lord Heseltine said:
“Estates regeneration is key to transforming the lives of people living on poorly designed housing projects. “The panel will provide expert advice, support and explore innovative funding solutions to drive forward the regeneration of estates around the country.
“However, I am clear that this has to be locally led and we must work with the residents of such estates. “I now want to see local communities coming forward with innovative ideas to achieve desirable neighbourhoods that local people can be proud of.” (Source: London Assembly Green Party Group)