Crown Estate plan for homes sell-off prompts demand for answers - Millbank tenants win backing of councillors in battle over estate future

Published: 26 February 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

COUNCILLORS in Millbank are demanding a meeting with the Crown Estate over plans to sell-off its housing stock in the area.

Ward councillors in Tachbrook and Vincent Square have rallied around tenants to fight the proposals to sell off affordable homes to another housing provider

Five Conservative councillors have called on representatives of the Crown Estate to answer their questions.

They have said: “This sale is to give the government short-term cash but in the medium- and long-term there will be a loss of much-needed affordable housing in our neighbourhood.”

Under the proposals the Crown, which has owned swathes of London for hundreds of years, will be putting the freehold of the Victorian terraces up for sale, with the money raised going to the Treasury. 

There are around 350 tenants living in the properties. The Crown has so far refused to say who may be in the running, nor how much the estate is worth. 

It also declined to hold a vote, saying they are running a “consultation period” instead.

A spokesman said it was “duty bound” to consider the sell-off as they looked to ensure their portfolio. 

He stressed no decision had yet been made.

He reassured residents that their tenancies will be unaffected by the sell-off, saying: “The tenants’ landlord will change but those tenancies will remain in place. 

“The new owners would not be able to change the terms of that tenancy, as it is protected by law.”

Last week the Crown Estate confirmed it was considering selling Regent Street to foreign investors, although it said it would not be relinquishing control over managing the area.