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.”
Comments
They don't give a f...
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-05-03 23:08.This is nothing to do with the treasury. This is a money grabbing ploy by the crown before it scales down. They don't care about anyone as long as they are constantly grabbing money from somewhere. It is time the crown and Grosvenor's are are taken to task about the land owned in London that is only affordable to the rich.
The Crown Estate 'Sell Off' another example to total Greed'
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-05-03 09:36.Greed.. its a disease that has buried itself deep into our modern day culture. Nurtured by Margaret Thatcher and continued by Tony Blair.
The Crown Estate have completed an in-depth consultation, where 99% of participants were totally against the proposal - and yet they keep guard like greedy vultures awaiting for one laps by they prey to attack and take the first pickings.......
Everyone should write, protest, march etc..............We must win this case!
Or it will set a president for a mass of similar property owners.
Well done those on our side, you are doing a great job!
From a resident of Victoria Park Estate
Escheat is the root word
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-04-23 15:15.The Crown Estate simply has too much power as a Landlord over so much of British land. It has been permitted to grow and is part of the cause of growing social inequality. It's also a concern because their corporate "core values" of "Integrity", Environmental Stewardisim and Commercialism" just translate into solely Commercialism and Profits for the Board, Profits for the Board, Profits for the Board.
It's time the public became more aware of land ownership and registry issues and it's time the government intervened and the Crown Estate Act 1961 was reviewed.
CROWN ESTATE AUTOCRACY & GREED
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-04-23 14:46.The Crown Estate are about to shoot themselves in the foot again over this - like they did when they refused to listen to tenants' complaints about their double dealing managing agents and over £100,000 of treasury revenue went missing. They had to pay money back to keep face but it's taxpayers who ultimately lost out.
If the commissioners don't want the resposibility of managing the homes they should be forced to give over this job to the Local Authorities.
Post new comment