The proposed additional housing has multiple negative effects on local residents, their homes and their health.

The removal of green space or play areas impacts children’s access to communal play areas, blocks light access, generates noise and ongoing inconvenience or even reduction in quality of life, and there is lack of space to build that would not impact at least one of the buildings in some major way.

The expansion will lead to overcrowding, pollution, destruction of green spaces and lowering the quality of life for existing residents, at the time when multiple requests for Estate improvements and resources that have been unanswered in 20 years (new lifts, new windows, updated play areas, trees or additional green space).

The expansion has the potential to create tension between existing residents some of whom have spent 50 years living in original buildings and new tenants with concern over different size flats, potential crime or social issues compounded by living in smaller housing space. We ask that no building work takes place.

 

Our Petition

Stop York Way Estate Expansion

Stop the destruction of green spaces and pollution at York Way Estate

We, the residents of the Estate, have started this petition to the City of London to stop York Way Estate expansion as harmful to the community, local area and its residents.

The City of London has announced its plans to build as many as 100 additional flats on York Way Estate (currently 250 flats). 

Initial expansion plans had been made without any consultation with the residents and wider community and do not consider any compensation.  

York Way Estate is a unique piece of community architecture and a tightly knit community.

The City of London cannot assure proper maintenance of the existing housing stock, with important work on heating and window replacement delayed by over 10 years.

At the same time, the City of London continues to sell its land at substantial profit to private investors (https://www.propertyweek.com/news/city-corporation-sells-london-wall-office/5100344.article  and move community services and hubs outside the borough (https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/city-corporation-agrees-barking-reach-as-preferred-site-to-relocate-historic-wholesale-markets/ at the same time deciding to cram more low-price and high-density social housing on existing estates.

This is a fundamentally flawed and socially unjust plan.

The City of London’s plans ignore the concerns of the community and will have a severe negative impact on the estate and local area.

The proposed expansion will lead to:

-          Destruction of precious green spaces

-          Pollution and construction noise for over three years

-          Increased population density flats on the Estate

-          Loss of light for many residents

-          Destruction of the original and unique 1960s design of the estate, built according to a masterplan covering a balance of flats, green spaces, play areas and a community centre.