Council May Lose Out on 8,000 Home Development

The developer behind the 8,000-home Earls Court regeneration scheme in London has said government plans to force councils to help tenants take ownership of their estates could force Hammersmith & Fulham Council out of the project. The CLG will consult in spring on these plans, which will bring into force the relevant sections of the 1985 Housing Act. Hammersmith & Fulham Council, with developer Capital and Counties, wants to redevelop Earls Court and the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates nearby. But tenants’ and residents’ associations want to take ownership of the 750 homes instead. Capital and Counties stated: ‘It is possible that Hammersmith & Fulham Council or Transport for London may choose not to participate in the future of the masterplan, for example should Section 34a of the Housing Act result in LBHF being unable to secure vacant possession of its land interests.’ A spokesperson said the council does not believe the tenant’s groups are representative of all the residents on the estates. Read more on Inside Housing.