Carol and John Downes – ‘It costs a fortune to keep warm’

JUST do it! That’s the message from a group of tenants to a housing ­association currently em­broiled in controversy over the future of their Chalk Farm estate.

Householders in Juniper Crescent – owned by One Housing – will find out tomorrow (Friday) the detail of plans to demolish more than 100 homes and build a larger estate in its place.

The project has sparked controversy among neighbours as many say they need longer than the fortnight given by their landlords to decide which way to vote.

One Housing need to win the backing of tenants in a secret ballot to demolish the yellow brick terraces and create a new neighbourhood with tower blocks, gardens and roof terraces.

John and Carol Downes, who have lived in a four-bed home for 18 years, said they loved the estate but backed plans to knock it down. Mr Downes, who grew up in Kentish Town, told the New Journal: “We have nice neighbours. It is lovely in the summer – to hear all the children playing outside.

“But it’s not good for the older generation. There are no buses because of work going on where Morrisons supermarket was, and it means some people are housebound.

“There are the works going on at Morrisons, and then behind us is HS2. We are hemmed in in every direction. Sometimes the house rattles because of the lorries, the noise and the dirt is awful.”

Ms Downes added: “Everything here needs doing, from the draughts to the central heating. It costs a fortune to keep warm. They were not well built. The walls are thin – we can hear our neighbours.”

Last week, tenants told the New Journal they felt they were being “bounced” into supporting the plans and information was sketchy.

Some had called on One Housing to delay the vote, due to start in a fortnight, to allow more time to scrutinise the deal.

But Ms Downes said: “They have put on lots of events to inform and update us. We do not need more than two weeks to look at the final offer and say yes or no.” The couple hope to downsize to a two-bedroom home and are attracted by extra affordable housing.

Mr Downes added: “We need more housing in Camden – where are young people going to live? So many families are split up by the cost of renting. One Housing are trying to solve that. Adults who have grown up here and are living with their parents will be able to have a home of their own.

“One Housing do not simply have the money to do what they want. That means some private homes to pay for this. Again, it is just common sense.”

As part of the deal, One Housing will give households more than £15,000 for moving out and then returning, on top of covering moving costs. Rents will be frozen for three years after they return.