According to the Halifax’s 2015 Generation Rent Report, 82% of 20-45-year-olds living in London have given up on buying a home. They feel pushed out of the capital and excluded from the possibility of home ownership. Those who do want to buy are desperate for high-quality, affordable homes to purchase in a desirable location that is convenient for work. One such Londoner, … [Read more...]
Labour stamp duty proposal: more giveaways won’t fix the housing crisis
Responding to Labour's announcement that it would abolish stamp duty for first homes bought for less than £300,000 and build 1 million homes by 2020, Alex Hilton, Director of Generation Rent, said: "Any cut to stamp duty just stimulates demand for housing. The extra cash a first time buyer would have just goes straight to the person selling the house at a higher price. More … [Read more...]
The housing crisis and the Right to Buy
Housing and homelessness has been a growing concern for a number of years now but it being an election year activists are trying to make sure it’s at the top of everyone’s agenda. On 31 January, activists, unions and campaigners joined together to march on City Hall to demand better housing for London. Over 6,000 people took to the streets in The March for Homes. There is … [Read more...]
Facts about the Right to Buy
The Right to Buy has helped to make the current housing crisis what it is. For those who will never see the inside of a council home or don't know what the Right to Buy is, here are a few fun facts: Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government launched the Right to Buy Policy in 1980. Right to Buy forced local authorities to sell their properties to existing tenants at … [Read more...]
Deadline looming for housing strategy consultation
Time is running out to tell Lewisham Council what you think of its new housing strategy. Consultation on the strategy closes on 19 January. The strategy covers the period 2015–20 and will govern the way the Council tackles the massive housing challenge the borough faces over the coming years. Demand is increasing and not enough new housing is being built. The new … [Read more...]
Motown Soul Bar update
It seems the Motown Soul Bar is definitely ear marked for demolition despite the lack of movement since the first planning application was made in 2011. A prior notification document was added to the planning website 25 June with a demolition start date of 28 August. Well that’s come and gone and I haven’t seen much movement yet. These things really do take … [Read more...]
Buy a new home at Cowdrey Mews and get fit
Thinking of buying a new home? How about taking up a sport? You could have both if you buy a property at Cowdrey Mews. Cowdrey Mews is a development of new homes on Southend Lane. They have teamed up with Beckenham Cricket Club to offer the first new resident a one year, complimentary membership and every new resident thereafter, 30% off annual membership for the sport of … [Read more...]
New build on Sangley Road
Catford has seen a lot of changes this past year. The new block of flats on Sangley Road is just one of many such changes. This block sits where the glazier shop used to be. This whole row has seen several shops turned into housing accommodation in the past few years. Including the grocers and the barber shop, there are only four shops left along this … [Read more...]
New build on George Lane taking shape
London and Quadrant Housing Association's affordable housing scheme on the corner of George Lane and Rushey Green has really taken shape. We mentioned back in October that the George pub was to be replaced by a new housing development and now here it is (almost). It looks like it's nearing completion. Click on the image below for a closer … [Read more...]
Excalibur estate plans have been approved
Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of a controversial prefab estate. Lewisham Council approved the plans put forward by London and Quadrant Housing Association (L&Q) for the Excalibur estate in Catford. The regeneration includes building 371 new homes with 228 designated as affordable housing and 143 for private sale. There will be 296 car … [Read more...]