Tenants 'given cast iron pledges' over housing estates' regeneration

Tenants and leaseholders have been given cast iron pledges by H&F Council on how their interests will be protected during a drive to regenerate housing estates.

The council, together with H&F Homes, has set out a long term ambition to rejuvenate deprived areas.

Following the spread of misinformation on some estates, council leader Stephen Greenhalgh has been quick to quash some rumours while laying down a number of firm pledges.

He said: "Let’s be very clear on a number of issues. Our ambition is to improve our housing estates.

"If redevelopment plans come forward, nobody, I repeat nobody, will be made homeless or be forced out of the borough.

"Quite the reverse. This is about ensuring that families and future generations want to carry on living and growing in H&F."

He added: "Working with H&F Homes over the next 15-20 years, we are committed to trying to improve our estates. We want to create a better mix of housing, while ensuring all our neighbourhoods are safe, vibrant areas where people want to stay."

Councillor Greenhalgh said the council and H&F Homes have to look at a longer-term plan to improve estates once Decent Homes investment comes to an end in 2010. In particular they want estates to benefit from development opportunities in neighbouring areas.

For example, in north Fulham developers are interested in transforming Earls Court and Olympia into world class venues. Residents on West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates will be asked their views shortly on how they could potentially benefit.

Councillor Greenhalgh added: "I must stress that this is a long-term ambition and things are at a very early stage and we want to ensure that local residents are involved right from the very start in helping shape any proposals that emerge."