Westbury estate exhibition: analysis & feedback

24th March 2015

This is 35% of the estate’s residents

Recap: December to February, 85 interviews with residents (34% of households)

Top five “likes”: •  quiet/calm, •  feeling of safety •  the park & greenspaces •  transport links •  location & wider area. Top five “dislikes” or areas for improvement: •  maintenance/standard of homes •  rubbish disposal services •  ASB or drugs •  quality of open/public spaces •  playground facilities for

younger children.

Interviewees: council tenants 62 (73%); leaseholder 14 (16%); rented from private landlord 6 + 3 people unknown tenure (10%)

– +

Recap: Interviewees’ attitudes to building new homes

Attitudes to new homes on the estate •  Positive: 12 •  Open to idea with some concerns/restrictions: 29

•  Maybe, but with more concerns/restrictions: 19 •  Completely opposed: 10

Main concerns raised •  becoming a big estate/crowding

•  fears about losing greenspace •  fears over displacement of current resident

•  pressure on local facilities.

Potential places to build? •  Isley Court

•  “there is no space”/not sure where

•  garages •  Concern about building on grass opposite station

Exhibition, Saturday February 28th & Monday March 2nd

The exhibition •  Presented findings of Social Life’s conversations; summary of offer to

residents from Lambeth and “scenarios” for possible development •  Overall message that new housebuilding would happen at scale, 200 to

300 new homes, and that we were showing initial ideas that would be developed following feedback, these were not fixed options

•  Over 80 individuals came to the exhibition, from around 60 households •  Of those who told us their tenure, 25% were leaseholders, 75% council

tenants •  Several people came back on second day •  Some people gave considered views, others found it difficult to respond

as this was first time specific options had been presented •  This is not representative of estate opinion, a temperature check instead Attendance by block (+23 unknowns)

Amesbury Durrington Isley Welford Allington Fovant

23 / 80 9 / 80 7 / 28 4 / 18 10 /18 5 / 18

The reaction •  Feedback forms or notes of conversations with 40 people •  Some residents alarmed at scale of building, others more relaxed, or in

favour of more social housing •  Many residents’ initial reactions are self interested •  The three scenarios split opinion – residents found it difficult to imagine

how old and new could sit side by side in infill versions •  Biggest single issues raised:

« Don’t build on grass at front of estate (15 responses, mainly towers) « Concerns about height/more towers (10, mainly towers and low rise) « Priority for new housing for current residents (8, mainly tower tenants) « Dislikes idea of “closing off” estate from Wandsworth Rd (6) «  Support better access through estate (5) « Concerns about safety if more residents (5) « No back to back gardens (4) «  Support for community centre (4) « Retain character (3)

Next steps •  April | Drop-in sessions: Lambeth will be holding drop-in sessions for residents to meet with housing

officers, and to get advice and information regarding their personal circumstances.

–  There will be a drop-in session specifically for Isley Court residents (tenants & leaseholders) on the 13th of April, 5pm-8pm in the TRA room.

–  There will be a drop-in session for tenants on Monday 20th April, 5pm-8pm in the TRA room.

–  There will be a drop-in session for leaseholders on Monday 27th April, 5pm-8pm in the TRA room.

•  Mid April | Steering group: To present some draft principles to steering group ahead of workshop event.

•  Late April | Workshop: We plan a further wider workshop/design session in late April for architects Metropolitan Workshop to show the evolution of designs and for residents to input into refining them. This will include a presentation of draft principles, concepts and trade-offs to which residents can feedback on.

•  May | Steering group: meeting to update steering group on draft brief after workshop.

•  Early May | Brief: report identifying key issues for Westbury residents and Lambeth with next steps outlined.

•  May | Lambeth present findings to AIMG (Asset Investment Management Group)

•  Early June| Lambeth present findings to AMCAP (Asset Management Cabinet Advisory Panel)

•  Early to mid July | Cabinet Paper