Protestors decry rising rents & displacement. Activists cite reduced affordable housing in new developments.
Over 600 people marched from Peckham Square to Elephant and Castle, holding signs that read, “Homes for people, not profit.” SHAPE, a housing activist group uniting many Southwark housing campaigns, organized this event.
Berkeley Homes cut affordable housing at an Aylesham Centre site by over 70%, reducing it from 270 homes to only 77. They also plan to cut a Community Land Trust, which would provide community-led housing and was part of the Local Plan. Berkeley Homes cited rising costs and planning delays as reasons for the cuts.
Siobhan McCarthy spoke against the changes, fearing it will destroy Peckham’s community and calling the cut an insult to residents. She stated Peckham wants affordable homes, but developers only care about profit and housing problems will get worse.
Over 4,000 local households need social housing, and more than 18,000 families need housing in the borough. Southwark’s plan aims for 50% social rented homes, with developments offering a 35% minimum, although this target depends on project finances.
The protest also highlighted plans at Canada Water and Borough Triangle, featuring 4,000 and 900 new homes respectively, yet offering only 25% affordable housing. Tanya Murat, who leads SHAPE and Defend Council Housing, said overdevelopment causes social cleansing. She stated that developers never offer enough social housing, and working-class areas get removed, losing businesses and culture.
Eileen Conn, a 52-year Peckham resident who protected local heritage and culture, and saved the high street in the 1980s, described the housing and planning situation as an emergency. She thinks that since the government depends on developers for housing, it won’t get built. She believes councils must ensure affordable housing is built, current systems worsen things, and developers must talk to residents.
Helen Dennis, a Southwark council member stated they are building 3,000 new council homes. She also stated that Southwark leads in providing social rent homes and negotiate for more affordable options, mentioning The Biscuit Factory, with 338 social rent homes, and Old Kent Road, offering over 50% affordable homes.