Residents of ‘The Town of Tomorrow’ fighting for their homes
A new chapter opens in the battle for the survival of South Thamesmead, as a residents take legal action.
by Dan Roberts and Shaun English
Within a historically quiet, unobstructed part of London lies one of the UK’s most unique housing complexes, the Thamesmead estate.
Many, a quick Google search later, might recognise the estate as “that place from Misfits”, or a brilliant case study of brutalist architecture, but residents of the estate will look and see their homes, their neighbourhoods and their communities, which have been untouched, for over 60 years. And now, the residents are embroiled in a fight for its very survival.
Even given its label as ‘The Town of Tomorrow’, due to its futuristic design at the time and emphasis on community within its architecture, Thamesmead has suffered from a slow but steady decline stemming from neglect.
However, ever since the plan for the Elizabeth Line to have a terminus at Abbey Wood, the nearest train station to the estate, was conceived, developers Peabody and Bexley Council have been eyeing up South Thamesmead for redevelopment, aiming to attract commuters from London.
Coinciding with the Elizabeth Line opening in 2022, Peabody set their sights on Lesnes Estate, where subsequently its demolition and redevelopment was approved by Bexley Council later that year.
When residents were polled by developers to vote about the redevelopment, citing compensation and inclusion and integration of the existing community going forward, 70% of residents voted for the plans to go ahead.
However, James, a campaigner, is sceptical that these promises will be carried out. “It’s always assumed, but not told, that residents would not live on the footprint of the estate [after redevelopment]” he says.
Whilst most were resigned to leave their homes, some inhabitants, joined by campaigners, have taken to legal action. In February this year, Alan Turk, a social tenant residing in Lesnes, launched a judicial review opposing the demolition, taking this fight to a new chapter.
There are 20 houses occupied now, so it’s going to be quite hard for them to get us out!
In interviews with publications such as The Planner, Turk has cited “managed neglect” of their homes by the council and Peabody, ever since they took over the estate in 2014. Bexley Council have said it could not comment whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.
Other ways residents are fighting against the demolitions have been by occupying abandoned homes in the estate and staging local protests, such as a four-day ‘Protesival’ within the estate last summer.
“There has been an alliance between squatters, housing activists and residents,” James states. “We’ve been here for two years and now there’s a legal case against the developers, and we hope that that will give renewed momentum to the campaign.”
Feature image by Shaun English.