Lib Dem and Tory Councillors on Southwark Council, last week (18/06/2009) agreed to build on part of Nursery Row Park in East Walworth without having consulted the Friends of the park or local residents. The section of the park will be given over to developers as part of the project to replace the housing lost through the demolition of the Heygate Estate, which is now almost entirely empty.

The move echoes a decision made earlier in the year when the council decided to dispose of part of Lucas Gardens in Camberwell without first consulting local residents or councillors.

The number of affordable houses that will be built under the scheme has also been drastically cut (684 to 498 units).

Southwark Labour’s regeneration spokesman, Cllr Chris Page is concerned that it indicates a growing trend:

“It’s absolutely vital for an inner London borough like ours that we protect our green spaces so that residents are able to enjoy them now and in the future. The executive’s recent decisions to flog-off or concrete-over parts of our parks are all the more troubling then because it hasn’t even bothered to consult local people, choosing instead to steamroller them through.

“This is already the second time this year that the executive has decided to take significant public green space out of use. While it’s vital that we get the long-overdue housing sites for former Heygate tenants built as soon as possible, local people believe that it’s possible without taking chunks out of our public parks. It’s particularly galling when the number of affordable houses that will be built as part of the development have been savagely cut.”