"New Heygate: ‘It looks nice, but where’s the affordable housing?’"

Link to Evening Standard

"Thousands of flats and the largest new park created in central London in over 70 years will transform a neglected neighbourhood, after planning chiefs approved redevelopment of a notorious council estate, the Heygate Estate in Elephant and Castle.

Southwark council approved a £1.5 billion masterplan by developer Lend Lease to build up to 2,500 homes on the 22-acre site, the biggest regeneration scheme within Zone 1. But at a six-hour planning meeting, local protesters claimed there will not be enough affordable homes.

"Police were on standby as dozens of activists held placards with slogans including 'Elephant and Castle rip-off' and 'Gated communities are zoos'. Committee chairman Nick Dolezal threatened to hold the meeting behind closed doors, unless the protests ceased, but continued after security staff removed the placards."