2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:49 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:16 UTC
Lambeth Council has formally dropped plans to demolish and redevelop the Central Hill and Cressingham Gardens estates, ending more than 12 years of uncertainty for residents. The decision follows a council report that found comprehensive redevelopment of the two post-war estates, designed by Ted Hollamby and his team of Lambeth architects, to be financially unviable. Residents, who have campaigned for over a decade against the demolition, welcomed the reversal, with Cressingham Gardens resident Anne Cooper praising the decision and thanking Green Party councillors Jonathan Bartley, Pete Elliot and Scott Ainslie for their long-standing support.
The council will now focus on delivering "genuinely affordable homes" while preserving the borough's architectural heritage by avoiding demolition. A 2022 review by Sir Bob Kerslake found residents' trust in the council was "exceptionally low" due to poor communication and inconsistent policy, leading to the closure of the council's housing company Homes for Lambeth. Cllr Martin Abrams, Leader of Lambeth Council, said the administration's task is to protect and improve existing homes and build new ones that communities need.
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