Neighbours hit out at Greenwich Council as it agreed to close a sheltered housing block for development into council housing.

Residents in Tuskar Street in Maze Hill say they have not been consulted on the council’s proposals to decommission Sam Manners House in place of new homes.

There are currently 17,000 people waiting for a home in the borough and council officers say Sam Manners house is becoming harder to let and would be too costly to adapt.

Difficulties 

The 41-unit building was set to be modernised, but the unpopularity of bedsits and the potential of asbestos have led the council to think again.

According to a report: “It is increasingly hard to let properties in the scheme.  The bedsit flats are small and poorly laid out with limited natural light in comparison with other sheltered schemes.

“Based on work carried out at other schemes of a similar age and design, it is

likely that there will be significant issues with asbestos testing and removal

which is likely to add to the cost and time-scales for any improvement works.

“Taken together these difficulties mean that it is not considered feasible to

carry out the modernisation works as previously agreed.”

Consultation

However, neighbours appeared at the council’s cabinet meeting on October 17 to speak against the proposals.

Craig Kershaw, who has lived in the street for 18 years, fears the council would leave Sam Manners House empty as it tries to fund the scheme.

He said: “It is 20 paces from my front door to Sam Manners’ front door. The decision being taken tonight will impact me and my neighbours for years and years.

“You have not consulted anyone on this contrary to the policy on community engagement. We have had to keep looking for cabinet papers to get information.

“We’ve had that information for five days, but the actions could impact our street for five years.

“I request you defer this until you have had consultation with all residents.

“In that consultation you should seek views on your overall proposals and how you plan to monitor the site after you decommission so that it won’t cause nuisance to the area, for example in the years it is not occupied as you look to secure funds.”

Not fit for purpose

Mr Perchard said residents have struggled to get answers from their councillors.

Councillor Chris Kirby, the cabinet member for housing, said there would be discussions about the future of Sam Manners with residents – but no consultation would stop its closure.

“This is a sheltered block that we ceased letting new rooms to in 2017. We did that because they are not fit for purpose”, the councillor said.

“I had emails on this five days ago and I replied in a day. I haven’t had an email I didn’t reply to and I can only apologise if people have.

“But the idea we should consult with residents when the decision is based on a matter of safety and appropriate accommodation I am sorry I just don’t agree with.

“There is no consultation we could have held that would have meant we would have kept people in accommodation that is not appropriate.

“There will be full and meaningful and wide consultation on the future of the site, that is our intention and it is the intention on every block we would develop.

“Our only consideration can be for the safety and comfort of residents in Sam Manners house.”

Councillors voted unanimously last night to decommission the block.