Redbridge Citizens letter supports bar on supermarket homes plan

Support for Redbridge Council’s decision to refuse Sainsbury’s planning permission in Ilford due to a lack of affordable housing

We, the undersigned, would like our support to be noted for Redbridge Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to Sainsbury’s Supermarket Ltd’s proposed housing development at 55 Roden Street, Ilford, IF1 2AA on the basis that only 4% of the 683 homes included in the 33 story development were classified as ‘affordable’ (17 for social rent and 10 ‘intermediate’ homes). This is despite the well acknowledged fact that there is an urgent need for affordable housing for local people in Redbridge.

According to the London Poverty profile, Redbridge has the lowest proportion of new homes classified as 'affordable'. 38% of households in the private rented sector claim Housing Benefit, compared to 28% in London overall. The borough has the second highest landlord eviction rate in London at 25 per 1,000 households, compared to the London average of 15 per 1,000 households. The Redbridge Fairness Commission Report states that local house prices are 8.4 times the average Redbridge income. As a result of the Housing Crisis, the Redbridge Fairness Commission decided that the Council should insist on at least 30% affordable homes on all new housing developments in the Borough.

We are in favour of regeneration and housing in the borough. However, the meagre provision for affordable housing in the current planning application does not reflect the needs or desires of local residents and community groups. Redbridge Citizens is an alliance of 6 civil society organisations: Redbridge Islamic Centre, Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Saint Antony’s Catholic Primary School, Trinity Catholic High School, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps) and Saint Margaret of Antioch. We represent 9500 local people and we want real choices to “live, work and stay” in Redbridge because we face the brunt of the local housing crisis.

For example, some of our member schools have reported that they are losing good teachers who cannot afford to stay in the borough. Also, families are being priced out of the borough and have been relocated outside London, often with no support network, severely disrupting children’s education. It is our view that the Sainsbury’s Ilford development will exacerbate the situation due to minimal social and affordable housing.

Therefore, Redbridge Citizens fully supports Redbridge Council’s decision to insist on at least 30% affordable homes on all housing developments in the Borough, including on the Sainsbury’s site at 55 Roden Street, Ilford.

Yours Sincerely

• Vaseem Ahmed, Redbridge Islamic Centre

• Rachel Roger, Trinity Catholic High School

• Panna Simon, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps)

• Captain John Clifton, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps)

• Captain Naomi Clifton, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps)

• Ritah Kambona, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps)

• Cedric Lungiambudi, The Salvation Army (Ilford corps)

• Bernadette Harris, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• John Collins, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Gemma Constable, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Teresa Corbishley, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Gloria Gottschalk, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Percy Ratnanather, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Robert Parker, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Angela Meyler, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

• Andrea Kiso, Saint Margaret of Antioch (Ilford)

• Jenny Bowen, Saint Margaret of Antioch (Ilford)

• Daniel Mackintosh, Redbridge Citizens Organiser