The Ledbury Estate is a large estate of social housing in Peckham, within the London Borough of Southwark, and also within the Old Kent Road regeneration 'Core Opportunity Area' boundary. The estate comprises four 13-storey tower blocks, as well as two and four-storey maisonettes, a community hall and several shops. 

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Who Are Ledbury Action Group?

In June 2017, the safety of the four tower blocks (Bromyard, Peterchurch, Sarnsfield and Skenfrith) was called into question and was subsequently followed by a sequence of fast-moving events which led to the formation of the Ledbury Action Group.

Ledbury Action Group was set up by small group of Ledbury Estate residents, we are unpaid volunteers. We have created this website as part of our work to document and create a record and timeline of events at the Ledbury Estate. 

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We are not formally connected to the Ledbury Estate Tenants & Residents Association, though we have worked with them on issues throughout this process. We believe this is beneficial set-up, as it means we are able to campaign freely and honestly, without any of the restrictions that the TRA are obliged to follow.

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What Do We Do?

We set up the Ledbury Action Group to bring together, support and empower residents of the estate, to facilitate communication between residents, and to campaign for the voices of residents to be heard on estate-wide issues.

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What Is Our Position?

We believe that no decisions should be taken by Southwark Council about our homes and the estate without full, transparent and genuine consultation thoroughout to hear the views of all residents, and we campaign to try to ensure that Southwark Council really listen to all residents.

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Ways We Campaign

• We attend Southwark Council meetings whereever possible, whenever Ledbury Estate is on the agenda to hear the latest decisions the council are making about the estate

• We challenge and object to decisions that Southwark Council make on our behalves when they have not been made in consultation with, or, in the interest of residents

• We actively work together with other agencies such as Southwark Law Centre, Southwark Trade Unions and other London-wide housing groups

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Ways We Support Residents

• We support and signpost residents who get in touch with us on specific issues

• We work with other local agencies to arrange support for residents, e.g - free legal advice sessions 

• We keep residents updated with the latest estate news and support communications between residents via the residents private Facebook group and this website 

• We support residents who want to attend council meetings to make a formal deputation or statement.

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What We've Achieved So Far

Often it can feel frustrating, when the council are making decisions and you may feel you have no say or control over what is happening to you and your home and area. This is a big part of why we set up the Ledbury Action Group, so we as residents can take back control over some elements and decisions. Here are just a few of the things we've asked Southwark Council to put in place for the benefit of residents, or successfully challenged them on since the issues began in June 2017, that have come to fruition:

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• That Southwark must allow any tenant from the towers who wishes to move, to do so, to another home of their choosing, within the borough, via band one priority on the Homesearch list.

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• That leaseholders of the four tower blocks should not be charged for major works/repairs to the blocks as a result of the fire safety and structural problems discovered.

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• That Southwark Council should buy new council properties (Sylvan Grove) to meet the need of Ledbury tenants who want to move.

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• That any residents speaking to the council is entitled to have an Independent Observer present if they would like one.

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• That all tenants should have the guaranteed Right To Return and this should become formal council policy

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• That any offer of buyback to towers leaseholders should reflect full market value, without taking the defects into account.

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• That Southwark Council must provide temporary accommodation for anyone who wants it during the time when there was no heating or hot water.

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• That Southwark Council should cover the costs of moving for tenants and leaseholders.

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• That Southwark Council should pay disturbance payments.

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• That Southwark Council should commission independent auditors to undertake an investigation into historical failings related to the four Ledbury towers.

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• That Southwark Council must be open and transparent with residents and share documents without delay.

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• That Southwark Council should publish all Fire Risk Assessments for the Ledbury towers.

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• That Southwark Council should appoint a full time senior officer based on the Ledbury Estate as point of contact for residents needing to get through to the council.

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• That Southwark Council should write a weekly newsletter to all residents to keep them updated.

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• That all residents (including former residents who've recently moved) should still automatically receive all newsletters and consultation documents unless they 'Opt out'

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• That Southwark Council should fund a 'Residents Friend'

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• That Southwark Council must have an 'Open Book' policy on the Options Appraisal process

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• That Southwark Council should allow tenants to move to Sylvan Grove despite outstanding utility works and should cover the costs in the meantime

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• That Southwark Council should rule out any demolition to the homes on the wider estate

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• That Southwark Council must remove the wider estate from their scope of works (following a vote by residents of the wider estate)

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• That Southwark Council must assume no consent to any proposals on the estate without the express permission of residents through proper consultation, formal votes or ballots.

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• That Southwark set up a Residents Steering Group to work alongside the council with the next phases.

 

CAMPAIGNING DOES WORK

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Challenges we are currently undertaking:

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• That Southwark Council should match the rents for tenants from the towers moving to new council properties, as they are effectively being decanted.

• That Southwark Council should ensure that the 'Right to Return' is actually affordable, by ensuring that the rent levels remain the same for any resident returning.

• That Southwark Council should extend the offer to leaseholders of the four towers for equity share beyond Sylvan Grove and Church Yard Row, in order to prevent conflict of interest between tenants and leaseholders.

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How To Find Out More and Get Involved

To find out more about Ledbury Action Group, get involved or speak with us, please do get in touch with us via the contact page

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