Lewisham Deptford Conservatives slam plans for New Bermondsey Development.
On the 11th of January, Lewisham Council will hold a crucial meeting on the proposed New Bermondsey Development, that could spell the end of Millwall Football Club in the borough.
Under the proposals, Renewal, a development company, will build new homes in the area surrounding Millwall’s stadium – The Den. However, under the planned scheme these new homes will be built on land currently leased to Millwall F.C. for community schemes.
This development has been fraught with problems from the start, with the Labour dominated Lewisham Council initially refusing to reveal the identities of the owners of Renewal. It is also alleged that Lewisham Council refused to let Millwall F.C. make a bid for the land, and they appear to have allowed Renewal to renege on the promise to fund a new Overground station at Surrey Canal Road.
The impartiality of the process has been called into question after a recent Guardian article revealed that the founder of Renewal had strong links with the political leadership of Lewisham Council.
Ross Archer, Chairman of Lewisham Deptford Conservatives says:
“Various aspects of this scheme have not looked right from the outset. The Labour dominated Lewisham Council have been cagey from the start; from not letting Millwall F.C. know about the Council’s plans to sell the land, entering a closed process with Renewal, to keeping the identities of Renewal’s ownership structure secret and seemingly using taxpayers’ money for legal advice to keep them out of the public eye. The lack of transparency is unacceptable - residents deserve better.”
“However, that’s not the only problem with this scheme. Under the plans, 2,400 homes would be built, but only 12% of this number are guaranteed to be affordable. When so many Lewisham residents are struggling to find affordable and social housing I would hope the Council would be more ambitious in this huge development, and demand more social housing.”
“This scheme could also result in Millwall F.C. having to stop their much-needed community activities, being forced to leave the borough, or worse closing as a club for good. As a football fan, I do not want to see this happen. Millwall F.C. is literally at the heart of the local community in north Lewisham. It is an asset to the local community as well as source of employment and entertainment for many residents. It’s time the Council reject this scheme’s current plans and Renewal as the lead developer.”