A family living in a regeneration nightmare on Central Hill Estate call for support as they receive the devastating diagnosis of cancer.

“There is so much pressure to challenge the council. We are unable to sell to anyone else and the stress of years of dealing with Lambeth is affecting my health." Bobby, a resident on Central Hill, shares.

Support Bobby here: https://gofund.me/6c79aff7

Despite loving Crystal Palace and enjoying the Central Hill community, in 2019, Bobby and her family looked to move out of London to better accommodate their family-run business.  Unfortunately, plans had to be put on hold for over three years due to Lambeth's policies and inactivity.  

When Lambeth Council Cabinet took the decision to demolish and rebuild Central Hill in 2017, the fall out of the decision, spearheaded by a now former Labour Councillor, was that a Section 20 notice of Major Works was placed on the whole estate.  This stops anyone from taking out a mortgage to buy on Central Hill.  In the case of Bobby’s family, they cannot go to their bank and remortgage. This would consolidate loans that they eventually took out to rent office space locally and to help them through this difficult time and, as no-one can buy onto Central Hill, they can only sell back to the council.

See more in this video here on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWYglQpQT_E

“Three years ago would have been a great time to move as our younger child was still in the early years of primary school but we are still fighting for a decent offer from the council for our home.”

“The council originally offered us £385,000 for our three-bedroom split-level maisonette and after a considerable exchange of emails between our solicitors, increased it to £395,000. This would not pay off our loans and buy a place we desperately need to set up our business.”

“This has dragged on for years. It appears the council has not used qualified professionals. They do not answer phone calls or emails and have offered us a below market value price for our home,” says Bobby, who has been advised to stop working. This has forced the family to resort to solicitors and arbitration, of which the arbitration is costing the family £750 per hour, only to be reimbursed possibly years later by the council.

See more in this video here on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWYglQpQT_E