Stop Pimlico gentrification

by Helen Pattison, West London Socialist Party

Residents on a housing estate in Pimlico in London protested on 10 June. Redevelopment plans for their area include properties which will be at 80% of market rents.

These homes will not be affordable to the majority of ordinary people. Despite the fact that thousands of people are on the council house waiting list, the council is ploughing ahead with plans which won’t actually address housing need.

Many of the buildings are run down. They will either need work, or some ultimately need to be redeveloped.

But this should be done with the proper involvement of the residents, and with a proper time frame for the works. There should be no back-door gentrification. Any new homes should be council housing on council rents.