Southwark Council's latest attempts to kick-start the regeneration of the Elephant & Castle area of south-east London have descended into confusion over the role of registered social landlords.
This follows a meeting called by the council last month with nine housing associations to discuss plans for work on the Heygate estate (HT 18 July, page 10).

The whole regeneration project is worth £1.5bn. Southwark assistant project manager Jon Abbott said the only hope for new homes in the area is investment from housing associations. He said: "Our view is that ultimately a registered social landlord will have control [of Heygate stock] and this is the only practical and fundable route.

"People predominantly want new homes, but if they want that, using RSLs is the only viable route," he explained.

But RSLs present at last month's meeting said this was not the message they received.

London & Quadrant Housing Trust assistant regeneration director Jeremy Stibbe said the apparently key role of housing associations had not been discussed.

"The whole project is about supporting the regeneration of Elephant and Castle," he said. "The Heygate will be affected by this, but the discussion [at the meeting] was to support the council and residents in this process."

Another attendee, who did not wish to be named, added: "It was very tense and it was like the council were walking on eggshells. The council seems to be a bit rudderless at the moment. We keep hearing mixed messages."

A council spokesman said Southwark was unaware of any confusion and that nothing had yet been decided for Elephant & Castle.

Source

Housing Today