By Kumail Jaffer Published: 05:06 EDT, 15 September 2024 | Updated: 05:11 EDT, 15 September 2024
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has been accused of ignoring the pleas of hundreds of his own constituents potentially facing homelessness.The Labour frontbencher, who only this week unveiled legislation to abolish no-fault evictions, has not yet intervened in the Labour-led council’s decision to demolish 204 flats in his Greenwich patch.Campaigners have said the MP must take responsibility during a ‘deeply unsettling’ time for residents living in Mast Quay Phase II, a pair of blocks in Woolwich.Last September Greenwich Council ordered the developer to knock down the flats due to ‘deviations’ from the original planning permission.Tenants are still moving into the blocks, which Greenwich Councillors have described as a ‘mutant development that is a blight on the landscape’. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook (pictured) has been accused of ignoring the pleas of hundreds of his own constituents potentially facing homelessness But residents are believed to be overwhelmingly happy with the state of their living conditions. One tenant said he was shocked that flats were being demolished during a housing supply crisis.A spokesperson for the Save Our Sails residents group said: ‘We are disappointed by the lack of engagement with not just our MP, Matthew Pennycook, but our local councillors on Greenwich Council and even the leader of the council, Anthony Okereke. Residents have sent letters asking for help and an explanation as to why we have this demolition uncertainty hanging over our heads. We have also invited Mr. Pennycook and the others to come and meet us, look at our flats, and inspect the building. However, the invitation has been rebuffed, and there has been no explanation or help offered.’At what is a deeply unsettling time for us residents, we are disappointed by the lack of interest shown by our Greenwich council leader, Anthony Okereke. Residents have sent letters and petitions asking for help and an explanation as to why we have this demolition uncertainty hanging over our heads. We feel completely cut adrift. Clearly, the housing security of residents is not a priority for our council leader.’Mr Pennycook is understood not to want to engage with any parties until the ongoing public inquiry has concluded. Mr Pennycook is seen in Westminster during morning media round on September 11 Donovan Thompson, a Mast Quays resident of over a year, said: ‘Matthew Pennycook should be here helping his constituents out. Why are the councillors and the MP going quiet on us? I bet there’s another agenda.’A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: ‘We are aware that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken enforcement action against the Mast Quay development in Woolwich, and this has been appealed by the developer.’The appeal will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.’A Comer Homes spokesperson said last week: ‘It is heartening to hear from the residents of Mast Quay that they are happy in their homes. We sympathise with each and every one of our tenants during what must be an unsettling time.’
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Labour frontbencher accused of ignoring hundreds of constituents facing homelessness over flats demolition