Statement from London & Quadrant Housing Trust regarding the proposed development at 68- 88 Evelyn Street

We recognise the democratic right of those who wish to protest when they perceive that a new development could affect their lives.

In this case, following consultation, Lewisham Council has given planning permission for the development of affordable housing on a narrow strip of land fronting Evelyn Street and on the edge of Deptford Park. Those protesters here today disagree with this decision.

London & Quadrant Housing Trust is keen to reassure local people that there is no intention to spoil any legitimate area of parkland or open space. The neglected and overgrown site on Evelyn Street will provide new affordable housing as well as some part-buy, part-rent homes. There will be a total of 35 homes. Additionally L&Q will rebuild the community building currently used as a nursery to a much better specification. Remember there are 15,000 people on Lewisham’s housing list so there is a huge need for affordable housing for local people.

The slogan ‘Save Deptford Park’ implies that the whole Park is under threat when in fact this is not so at all. The strip of land in question originally had homes on it. Deptford Park extends to some 17 acres. The size of the building L&Q will build covers a small fraction of one acre, so it can hardly be claimed that we are involved in the destruction of Deptford Park.

Like the protesters here, L&Q wants to ensure that building does not encroach on genuine parkland. We did not take this decision lightly. Neither did Lewisham council but after full consideration planning permission for this limited development was granted.

Chief Executive of L&Q, Don Wood, sends this message: “L&Q accepts that some protesters here may feel their lifestyle will be adversely affected by this development. It is not our intention to damage anyone’s quality of life. We are in the business of creating places where people want to live, and that includes the wider environment as well as the homes themselves. Planners have given this proposal careful consideration and advised that this is an appropriate development for the site in Evelyn Street. Your elected representatives have given planning permission. We are sorry if some of you do not share the view that this is an appropriate development."

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