Minister issues warning over Crown homes sell-off plan
Published: 22 April 2010
by DAN CARRIER
AFFORDABLE homes in the heart of Camden could be saved after a Treasury Minister fired a warning to the Crown Estate board over sell-off plans.
The Crown are considering selling around 500 homes in Cumberland Market, Regent’s Park, but were told this week that if the decision threatens the availability of homes for key workers, the government would step in.
The board, which is chaired by former John Lewis boss Sir Stuart Hampson, is due to decide by the end of the month whether to ignore the wishes of their tenants and find a buyer for the homes.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry, chairwoman of the Treasury Select Committee, warned she may use executive powers to block the sale.
In a letter to Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson, who has been among those lobbying ministers, Ms McCarthy-Fry said: “I have had discussions with the Crown Estate about their proposals to sell off their affordable housing in London and I have deep concerns about the effect on the future availability of such housing. I will await the final proposal from the Crown Estate and the second round of consultation, but if the final proposal did not further the ‘wider public benefit’, which the Treasury Select Sub-Committee Report referred to, then I would be prepared to consider issuing a direction to the Crown Estate.”
Mr Dobson said: “I have been in discussions with the committee for some time. This is great news for the estate.
“It certainly constrains their choice. It should focus the minds of the board and show them that there are other considerations to think about over making a quick buck out of selling affordable homes.”