Following extensive investigation and review, tenants and residents of the Packington Square estate have chosen to opt for a housing stock transfer as the option for the regeneration of their estate.Councillor Steve Hitchins, leader of the council said: "We have always said that residents would have a crucial say in the future of their homes and estate and that we would support what the majority of residents want. There has been a thorough and extensive process, a range of options were explored and the decision has been reached. The tenants have had their say and we are backing them. In Islington we have very useful experience of all options and this will stand us in good stead for the future." He added: "We have tried to balance a number of interests here. The concerns of the tenants about safety are understandable. Building a new development that will stand for 40 or more years needs careful planning, wide consultation and time. And moving people out of their homes, in some cases of over 30 years, requires sensitivity and sympathy - you can’t just shove them out! The council remains very committed to continuing to work with all residents to get this right."Islington Council announced proposals to redevelop the entire estate in March 2004 after an inspection revealed that the six-storey high housing blocks do not meet current construction requirements for buildings of their height. The Packington Square estate in Islington was built over 30 years ago. It has 538 flats. A tenants and residents reference group was formed in November 2003 and the group appointed an independent advisor in March 2004. This group along with all of the other residents decided that demolition of the estate was the only option. There has been extensive consultation with local residents, businesses, users of the local parks (Union Square and the Canal side park), users of the canal and potential partners. People have given their thoughts on:·the location of new homes and other buildings·building heights ·the location of any roads ·existing and proposed trees ·existing and future play areas, shared open spaces and parks ·parking The council and residents group together appointed architects Hunter & Partners who will come up with a master plan or real options for the redevelopment of the Packington Estate. This will be used to help the council and residents select a partner for the redevelopment and will form the basis for developing the proposals for the new homes to be built. Note to editorsIslington Council stresses that the buildings are not unsafe or a danger. And this view is supported by independent gas and building experts. But because a recent comprehensive survey of all the council’s estates of similar construction has revealed the fact that the estate does not meet standards, it cannot be ignored and left the way it is. The council has checked out all the blocks in the borough built using this system and the Packington along with Churnfield House in the Finsbury Park area are the only ones affected by this problem.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008