After almost a year of fighting to stay in its home in an affluent area of Kingston, London’s last remaining commune is being broken up by its social housing provider.

The Crescent Road Community (CRC), which has shared three joined houses in Coombe Hill for almost 40 years, has come to a deal with landlords One Housing Group (OHG).

But the 21 adults and three children who call the community home will be placed in separate social houses in areas across the capital.

Jean Vidler, one of the community’s longest serving members, said: “Some people are still negotiating so I can’t say too much.

"It is sad we will not live together but we will always help each other.

"The experience of being in a community has been fantastic and we have been very lucky. We are lifelong friends.

“Vulnerable people are being moved first and the uncertainty of not knowing where we will end up is worrying, but I know we are lucky compared to some people who desperately need housing.”

Fellow CRC resident Des Kay said: “It is quite outrageous really that a community that has existed for such a long time is broken up in this way, but there doesn’t seem to be any pressure at the moment to move us on.”

The property was originally owned by Patchwork Housing Association, which was founded in 1972 by a Franciscan monk who wanted to create communal properties for a “patchwork” of people who would “live supportively together”.

When CRC started fighting its eviction last spring members were supported by Zac Goldsmith, Russell Brand and Jeremy Corbyn plus countless Kingston organisations it had helped over the years.

Sam Hermitage, from Kingston Environment Centre, said: “From its beginnings as a group of ideological thinkers, straight out of the 1960s hippy movement, to dedicated conscientious doers who have helped change the way we think in the borough, CRC has always been for good and always with the environment and planet in mind.”

Paul Ridge, of Bindmans LLP, represented all but one of the commune residents.

He said: "These are wonderful people and I really believe that they can teach us about alternative ways of living. 

"This is a successful community and has been for decades. It is no secret there is a housing crisis and I think these people could really teach us a lot about how to live.”

The future of the three houses in Crescent Road has not been decided by OHG.

An OHG spokesman said: “We are pleased the residents of Crescent Road have voluntarily agreed to accept offers of new housing.

"It is expected that it will still take several months for all residents to be re-housed and we are meeting with them regularly.

"We are now completing detailed assessments to decide on the best use of these buildings to meet our purpose.”