Residents Vote on Revamped £100 Million Regeneration Plan for Alton Estate

Residents of the Alton Estate in Roehampton are preparing to vote on a significant regeneration plan that aims to transform their community after years of uncertainty. The ballot, scheduled to take place from September 22 to October 16, 2023, follows a long history of planning and negotiations that date back to 2012, when the previous Conservative administration of Wandsworth Council first approved regeneration efforts.

The latest proposal, estimated at £100 million, involves the demolition of 167 homes built in the 1950s to make way for 614 new residences, with a commitment to include 57 percent affordable housing. The new masterplan also envisions a community hub that will feature a library, council offices, and youth services at the estate’s entrance.

In addition, the plans call for an updated retail parade along Danebury Avenue, which will include a larger supermarket to replace the former Co-op store. A family hub is also part of the vision, incorporating a relocated nursery, GP surgery, and various community services. The estate will benefit from a new public square, outdoor spaces, and improved pedestrian routes.

The council’s previous attempt to regenerate the estate was halted in May 2022 when the Labour party took control and raised concerns over the lack of affordable housing in the initial plans, which proposed demolishing 288 homes for a total of 1,108 new homes, of which only 261 (or 24 percent) were designated as affordable.

Since then, the council has revisited the drawing board and engaged with residents to develop a revised masterplan. According to Aydin Dikerdem, the Labour councillor and Cabinet Member for Housing, the new plan has been shaped by extensive conversations with residents, which he believes will lead to better outcomes for the community.

Angus Robertson, a long-term resident who moved to the estate in 2003, expressed optimism about the revised plans. He noted that the new administration has been more inclusive and responsive to community input. “The proposals as they stand, in my own view, are much stronger than what we had before,” he stated, referring to the increased focus on social housing and community facilities.

The council has established a community panel consisting of residents, officers, and architects, who meet regularly to review the various aspects of the regeneration. Robertson emphasized the importance of continued community involvement to rebuild trust. He advocated for a formal social impact assessment to address how the regeneration will affect residents’ daily lives, a plan the council confirmed it intends to implement.

Despite the positive developments, some residents remain skeptical about whether the plans will materialize after years of delays. Robertson acknowledged this cynicism but underscored the significance of the upcoming vote. “If we get past this milestone of people voting for the proposals and it becomes real, then I think it’s very important for the council to try and take local people with them,” he said.

A recent viability study commissioned by Wandsworth Council indicated that a suitable regeneration scheme could be delivered at a net cost of around £100 million. The council is committed to ensuring that the final decisions regarding the Alton Estate are made by the residents, emphasizing transparency and community engagement throughout the process.

As residents prepare to cast their votes later this month, the outcome of the ballot will determine the future of the Alton Estate and the realization of its long-awaited regeneration plans.