Demolition of 'Clockwork Orange' estate in London paused as residents celebrate legal win

Plans to demolish a famous London housing estate will be put on hold after one of its residents won a legal battle to have the demolition approval scrutinised.A High Court judge ruled on Wednesday that a judicial review will take place into Bexley Council’s decision to approve Peabody Housing Association’s proposal to knock down the Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead to make way for nearly 2,000 homes.Adam Turk, the Lesnes resident who brought the claim against Bexley and Peabody, said he was “elated and very relieved” that Mr Justice Choudhury ruled in his favour while standing on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice.Mr Turk said: “Justice is prevailing and for the first time, we are being heard. It’s been a long road this. It’s been two-and-a-half years. That’s how long we’ve waited to be able to come into court and challenge this planning application.”Adam Turk outside the Royal Courts of Justice Cameron BlackshawFellow Lesnes resident Emmanuel Ladele said he was “very delighted” as he had expected the judicial review request to be denied. Maria Ivanonva has lived on the estate for almost 20 years and she said she felt “positive” about the upcoming judicial review. She said: “A home is not just property. It is where our memories live, where our families grow, and where our lives are built. I sincerely hope that fairness, justice and compassion will always have a place in our society.”The lawyer representing Mr Turk and the remaining Lesnes residents argued insufficient information about the proposal’s greenhouse gas emissions was provided in the planning application and thus Bexley councillors were misled when giving their approval.The legal team for Peabody and Bexley Council said no breach of planning regulations had taken place and that even if there was a breach, this would have made no material difference to the eventual outcome.Residents held a sit-in protest at the Lesnes EstateJoe CoughlanMr Justice Choudhury ruled in favour of the residents, stating that an argument was there to be had over whether the full emissions information could have swayed the decision. He said the judicial review would likely take place in October or November.Read MoreReferring to points made by Peabody and Bexley’s lawyers, the judge said: “They might leave him stumbling on the ropes, but they’re not quite the knockout blow.”A Peabody spokesperson said: “We’re investing in communities in and around South Thamesmead, supporting people, improving public areas and providing much-needed new homes. The majority of local residents backed our proposal to redevelop the Lesnes Estate, which will help us expand our work and create an even better place for local people to live. “We’re committed to supporting residents from the Lesnes Estate as we create 2,800 much-needed new homes in South Thamesmead. This includes ensuring that Peabody tenants and resident homeowners can stay in the neighbourhood if they wish to through our strong package of financial support.”Scenes from A Clockwork Orange were shot on the Lesnes Estate in ThamesmeadWarner BrosBexley Council has been approached for comment.Plans to demolish the estate and replace it with 1,950 new homes were approved by Bexley Council in 2022. Since then most Lesnes residents have moved elsewhere, assisted by Peabody that has offered homeowners the market value of their home plus 10 per cent as compensation.The estate is now a ghost town. Large parts of it are dilapidated and many properties have been taken over by housing occupiers and squatters who regularly clash with police.However, a small portion of residents refused to leave the place they have called home for decades. A group of around 20 households—a mixture of homeowners, social and private tenants—have been campaigning to stop the destruction of Lesnes.Today, the group is celebrating. They will have their day in court later this year as they attempt to overturn the planned demolition of the iconic Brutalist estate.