Residents of two estates in Hammersmith and Fulham took their pleas to the Secretary of State Greg Clark and offered an alternative plan for the 760 homes threatened with demolition as part of the Earl's Court redevelopment.
Opposers from West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates visited the Department for Communities and Local Government and have asked to exercise their "Right to Transfer" ownership of the two estates to a community owned landlord controlled by the residents.
They are currently owned by Capco who have full planning permission of the land, but residents hope the Housing Act will stand in their defence and prove their proposal to work with neighbours to plan new affordable homes on infill sites could work.
Alongside evidence to support their cause, tenants and homeowners from the estates handed over a petition signed by residents from the majority of households calling for a community-led alternative.
The scheme currently being renegotiated is between the Hammersmith and Fulham council who legally are responsible for housing the tenants and developers Capco.
“The majority of residents have consistently opposed demolition, 80% according to the Council’s own consultation in 2012” said Keith Drew, resident of forty-three years and Chair of West Ken Gibbs Green Community Homes which opposes the plans.
He added: “The developer’s plan is especially disruptive for Right to Buy homeowners since the compensation they would get for their home would be insufficient for them to buy a replacement home in the area.”
“The Council is currently renegotiating the scheme with the developer.
"It is rumoured that the number of homes additional to those already approved will run into the thousands rather than the hundreds.
"This is bound to prove unpopular with people in the surrounding areas and generate significant controversy in the run-up to the Mayoral election."
Mr Drew said the community has been kept out of discussions despite being able to offer what they believe is a more satisfactory regeneration scheme.
Homeowner Iona Bain who handed the residents’ submission to the Secretary of State said: “I am very worried about this scheme and have lived with this worry for years while the area has been blighted by uncertainty.
"I worked very hard to buy my flat here and I have invested a lot of money and time in my community to make it my home.
"I feel totally let down by the promise of homeownership. I just hope the Secretary of State will listen to us and support the will of the local community.”
Residents initiated the process on August 11 by serving notice of their intentions to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
The Council subsequently responded by asking the Secretary of State to make a determination against the proposals.
Petitioner Jonathan Rosenberg who attended on Friday to deliver the petition said: "The official came out to receive the petition and it all went as planned.
"It's an overwhelming majority of people who have backed it.
"57% of people whose homes are on the estate have now got their signatures on it.
"Now we just have to wait and see what happens."
A spokesperson for Capco told Get West London: The estates have been sold to Capco via a binding legal agreement and the Secretary of State has already approved the sale.
"Government guidance states that Section 34a should not be used if its application would have a significant detrimental effect on housing services or regeneration.
"The Earls Court Opportunity Area has been identified by the Mayor of London as providing a significant opportunity for regeneration.
"The comprehensive regeneration scheme is underway and will bring significant benefits for residents, the local area and for London.”
