‘Crown Estate lied to us over sale’

Published: 23 September, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

THE Crown Estate have been accused of telling lies, breaking a string of promises and chasing a money grabbing short-term plan that ignores the needs of key workers.

The residents’ association, representing more than 500 households on the Cumberland Market estate in Regent’s Park, has sent a letter to Crown chairman Sir Stuart Sampson, former head of the John Lewis Partnership, claiming they have been shoddily treated over secret plans to sell their homes off. 

In the letter, seen  by the New Journal, tenants say: “Many residents feel that we have been lied to, cunningly deceived, ignored and patronised. Many feel that the Crown Estate has acted without integrity and pushed through the decision to sell our homes in the most dishonest, discourteous and manipulative fashion. The feelings of shock, dismay, confusion, depression, insecurity, fear and betrayal expressed by residents during the ‘consultation’ phase have now turned to disgust, anger and cynicism.”

The Crown Estate is Britain’s biggest land­owner and for two years has been sizing up a possible sale of the estate. The portfolio they manage is made up of land owned by the Monarchy through the centuries and its income is used to help bankroll the current Royal Family’s lifestyle through the Civil List.

And while the Crown say they are merely fulfilling their public duty to maximise profits for the Treasury, tenants remain angry that the hidden costs of losing swathes of affordable homes in central London has not been factored in.

It comes as the public body boast on their website that in 10 years they have increased the value of their portfolio by £2.6billion. This year alone they announced profits of £210.7million, while dishing out nearly £22m in wages to their staff. 

Tenants say that Sir Stuart and his board have  failed to keep them informed – the favoured buyer’s identity is being kept under wraps – and insist they have even lied about how far the sale has progressed. 

The letter adds: “None of the concerns that we have raised in detailed letters that we wrote to you over the summer have been addressed properly. 

“This is disturbing in itself. But it is also now abundantly clear that you and your officials have said things that are not true and have broken a string of promises.”

The letter says the consultation process led to 99.9 per cent of all tenants replying that they did not want homes to be sold was ignored.

They also say that a previous promise to keep rents affordable has been scrapped and new policies will see empty flats sold privately.

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said: “We are disappointed with their comments and will be replying directly in due course. 

“We anticipate that commercial discussions will soon be at a stage that means we will be able to give more details about the proposed future ownership.”

The spokesperson said  they were committed to consulting tenants as the sale progressed, adding: “There will be a consultation during which residents and other stakeholders will be able to consider the policies and plans of the prospective purchaser and let us know their views on the proposed sale.”