Residents oppose council plans for Cressingham Gardens

Brixton residents gave given Lambeth Council four demands in response to the plans of the proposed reconstruction of Cressingham Gardens Estate.

The Block of 40 year old flats are due to be demolished then rebuild by Lambeth Council. local residents feel that it would be cheaper for the council to repair failing parts of the estate, with 90% of residents in favor of repairs as opposed to demolitions according to a survey commissioned by the Save Cressingham Gardens Group

Cressingham Gardens is on upper Tulse Hill, which overlooks Brockwell Park located in Brixton. The council intends to build some newer apartment blocks on the estate, with the rent payments helping finance the rebuilding.

The residents are demanding that Lambeth Council grant Cressingham conservation status, repair and maintain the estate as well as preserving the estates greenery and architecture. A further demand if for Lambeth Council to use the £3.4 million the estate is entitled to under the Lambeth Decent Homes scheme. The Decent Homes scheme is a central government policy allows tenants to see ways in which their rented property has to be maintained by the local council.

The campaign group Save Cressingham Gardens have been campaigning against demolition, and have joined up with Cressingham Tenants association. According to Nicolas Greaves, who chairs the Cressingham Gardens tenants association, “having neglected the maintenance of the estate for many years, Lambeth Council are now claiming it is too expensive to repair”, which. The Save Cressingham Gardens have recently created a short film called ‘Homes Under the Sledge Hammer‘ in order to publicize Cressingham and oppose any future developments.

The Film focuses on the community aspects of the estate, as well as Hollamby’s unique architectural style. Sandra Kolar, the film’s director said: “Local authorities are quick to knock down these gem estates for short term profit”. The Cressingham Estate was designed by Tom Hollamby, a heritage-listed architect and a champion of low-rise blocks that defined architecture in the 70’s

The Save Cressingham Gardens group is now working to include the estate in the Brockwell Park conservation area, after receiving advice from the English Heritage.

By Toby Roddham

Photo by Sandra Kolar