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Councillor Brian Robson
c/o Liberal Democrats, FREEPOST8 Woodham Road, SE6 2SDcllr_brian.robson@lewisham.gov.ukwww.brianrobson.org.uk020 8297 9327
Paul ClarkDirector of Investment and Asset ManagementThe Crown Estate16 New Burlington PlaceLONDONW1S 2HXBy post and e-mail20
th
March, 2010Dear Mr Clark,
The Crown Estate Housing Consultation
I am writing to respond to the Crown Estate
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s consultation on your proposal to sell-off your residentialproperties in London, including the properties in our Lee Green Ward. My colleagues and I would like toregister our objection to this proposal on behalf of the Crown tenants we represent and our widercommunity. We also have concerns regarding the way the consultation has been carried out.
The effect on our constituents
This proposal has caused a great deal of concern to residents, who tell us they have generally beenquite happy with The Crown Estate as their landlord. Many residents have held long tenancies on theirproperties, with some being the second or third generation being housed in a Crown Estate property. Inan uncertain world, residents have considered themselves fortunate to be housed by what was regardedup to now as a secure and trusted landlord.The Crown Estate
’
s Lee Green properties are part of a diverse, mixed tenure community. The wayresidents have joined together to oppose this proposal illustrates the strong sense of community whichexists in the area. We have been approached independently by residents in the area who are owneroccupiers or tenants of social landlords who are very concerned about this proposal
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demonstrating theextent to which the Crown Estate properties are part of a wider community. We would not wish to seeLee Green become a mono-tenure community where only those who can afford to purchase propertycan afford to live. This proposal risks that becoming the case in the longer term.There are 17,518 families waiting for social housing in the Borough of Lewisham. Clearly demand foraffordable and intermediate housing in the borough far outstrips supply. As such, the Crown Estate
’
sproperties in Lee Green are making an important contribution to housing supply in the borough
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one wewould not wish to see lost. It is also clear that if residents were forced to leave their properties in LeeGreen due to rising rents or other conditions imposed by a new landlord, they would have difficultysecuring alternative affordable/intermediate housing in the area.Whilst the consultation document gives existing residents various assurances regarding rent levels etc,these vary according to the precise type of tenancy currently held by the resident, and the type oftenancy that the new landlord is able to offer.
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