Think again on Crown Estate sales

Published: 19 August, 2010

• THE Crown Estate’s proposed sale of its four London residential estates, predominately providing affordable housing to key workers, has exposed the organisation as never before and put its reputation at risk.

There is no organisation in the world quite like the Crown Estate, so it has been said. It has evolved over 250 years since crown lands were handed over to Parliament for the collection of revenues by King George III on his accession. This was in return for an annual allowance (civil list) for the maintenence of the monarchy.

The Crown Estate’s London property portfolio of today was originally formed as a result of the extravagance of George IV and the plans of his architect John Nash that Parliament was persuaded to finance, supported by revenues collected by the then Commissioners of Woods, Forest & Land.

What has not yet been taken fully into account is the 150-year history of the Crown Estate’s provision of affordable rented homes that first began after Queen Victoria persuaded Parliament to provide a park for the people of Bethnal Green in 1840. An act of 1842 authorised the commissioners to buy land and develop a suitable park. James Pennethorne, the appointed architect, also designed houses fronting the park that included the houses in Gore Road, part of the Victoria Park estate that is one of the four estates in question.  

Millbank estate, with houses built about 1860, were restored after wartime damage and they, too, were intended as affordable rented homes for local artisans, tradesmen, and “key workers”. 

Such provision was considered to be a “core” social policy.

Members of the board may hopefully reflect on the issues involved and the reputation of the Crown Estate and veto the proposal at their next meeting. 

That is the right and proper action to take, thus also respecting the objectives and achievements of their predecessors.
Bryan Latter
Burrard Road, 
West Hampstead