Plans which include rehousing families, demolishing six Thamesmead tower blocks and dozens of other homes are being proposed by Peabody - who are asking residents to have their say.

It is part of a £440m investment in developing south Thamesmead, with demolition to begin early next year - if the consultation is successful.

Case for change:

  • The housing association claim the layout of the estate and poor lighting makes it easier to commit crime - and the community have said they do not feel safe.
  • Homes are cold, damp, draughty and expensive to heat. Many are "beyond repair" meaning people cannot get mortgages.
  • The windows have reached "the end of their planned life".
  • Walkways, communal areas and public spaces are of poor quality and badly maintained - making residents feel negatively about their homes.

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Picture: Wikimedia

Because of this, Peabody and Gallions have planned a 10-year regeneration project, taking into account the views of residents, which has been split into four separate proposals.

Wolvercote Road area: The housing associations plan to demolish six towers and the houses on Wolvercote Road, Hinksey Path and the north-side of Lensbury Way.

Hundreds of tenants would be rehoused as a result of this, whilst private homeowners would be bought out.

These buildings would be replaced with "quality, well designed new homes and improved public spaces".

Rehousing and demolition would be carried out in three phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2020.

Yarnton Way wall: Peabody propose to begin to knock down the 600-metre wall, garages and walkway that connect the six towers along Wolvercote Road, and the nine blocks of flats along Kale Road, early next year.

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Dexter House, Kale Road

By opening up the area, they hope to reduce anti-social behaviour and make residents feel safer - as well as making the area "more aesthetically pleasing". 

They hope to improve access and pedestrian routes, create parking and usable public spaces.

Southmere and Parkview proposals:

Peabody also plan to refurbish four towers in the Southmere development, and nine in the Parkview area.

This would involve fitting new windows, new cladding, repairing concrete walls and roofs, and improving communal areas and entrances.

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Southmere Lake

South Thamesmead-wide: More street lighting, play areas and paths for pedestrians and cyclists would also be introduced throughout the estate.

The Greater London Authority is also investing £70m in the development Harrow Manor Way development - which is being run in partnership with Bexley Council and Greenwich Council.

There will be 1,500 new homes - as well as a new high street with a mixture of cafes, workspaces and shops - partly thanks to a £1m regeneration boost from Boris Johnson.

Peabody CEO Stephen Howlett said: "We are passionate about Thamesmead – the people, the place and its future potential.

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"Our proposals take into consideration the wants and needs of the thousands of residents we have consulted over the past two years.

"Our proposals are ambitious but they are based on what we believe we can realistically do.

"Residents are vital to the future of Thamesmead and we want to encourage as many of them as possible to share their views."

Gallions joined the Peabody group in 2014, along with Trust Thamesmead and Tilfen Land, meaning most of Thamesmead is owned by one housing association for the first time in a generation.

The south Thamesmead area affected by the proposals includes 2,500 homes - and is all in the London Borough of Bexley.

The consultation runs until Tuesday, May 3. Have you say here.