The Crown Estate don’t ‘do’ listening

Published: 3 June, 2010

• WHILE the Crown Estate reminds us that it operates under the banner of “integrity”, “stewardship” and “trust”, clearly “listening” is not something they can add to their values. 

Despite overwhelming opposition, it comes as no surprise to hear that the Crown Estate is planning to go ahead with the sale of their affordable, key-worker housing in Regent’s Park ward and across London. 

Throughout the less-than-satisfactory consultation process, residents’ and other stakeholders’ views and concerns were sidelined and the Crown Estate’s determination to ditch the affordable section of their residential accommodation has even survived the disquiet voiced by the Treasury committee investigating the management of the Crown Estate.

No satisfactory rationale has been given for this sale by the Crown Estate. 

To say that the housing would be better run by another landlord is not supported by the evidence; satisfaction rates among residents is higher than for any other comparable landlord and a short walk through the estates will easily demonstrate why.  

The decision to sell in the face of such widespread opposition demonstrates a lack of flexibility and the few concessions they have made appear to be a face-saving exercise from an organisation irritated by the challenge to their views.

The residents of the Crown Estate have shown that they have a better insight into the value of their homes to the housing mix in London than their landlords, who only want to keep the “posh” housing while key workers and ordinary residents’ homes are sold off.  

It’s about time the Crown Estate Commissioners listened to their residents and looked for a way forward that retained the diversity and strategic importance of the Crown Estate’s portfolio and gave the residents some real involvement in the running and future direction of their homes. 

CLLR HEATHER JOHNSON
Regent’s Park ward