Clerkenwell residents have reacted angrily to redevelopment plans on the Mount Pleasant sorting office site, expressing concerns about the lack of affordable housing.
Boris Johnson approved the plans, which will form one of central London’s largest development sites, on 3 Friday 2014. It will create 681 new homes – the majority of which will be luxury accommodation. 98 properties will be “affordable rent” flats, which critics argue will be out of the reach of most locals.
A report suggests that Mount Pleasant tenants could be charged £1,170 per month for a one-bedroom flat and up to £2,800 per month for a four-bedroom home.
The development is opposed by hundreds of local residents, and Islington Council had previously urged the mayor to reject the plan.
Tim Cahill, a Clerkenwell resident living opposite the sorting office, said locals are angry the plans have been approved. “It really isn’t affordable – but that’s what they do with most of the development nowadays. It’s all gone privatised and they’re selling everything off – and they’re making money out of things the public used to own.
“It’s for the rich – what they say is affordable is just in a different world. I object to it, for what good it does.”
Leon King, a young professional working in Clerkenwell, said: “I think we do need more housing – but at an ‘affordable’ price, which isn’t what this is going to be. Boris Johnson is portraying the typical ideology of taking-money capitalism.”
A campaign group, Mount Pleasant Association, also released a video highlighting the issues of the development.
Johnson, however, argued that the redevelopment would bring much-needed housing to the area: “Building new homes is absolutely crucial and by working closely with the local authorities and Royal Mail we have been able to bring forward a scheme that had been in serious danger of stalling, while doubling the amount of affordable homes.”
Councillor James Murray, from Islington Council, criticised the mayor. “Today’s decision means that Londoners are missing out, whilst investors in luxury flats and Royal Mail shares are benefiting. This decision is wrong for London,” he said.
The remaining half of the Mount Pleasant site will continue serving as a postal sorting office, employing up to 3,200 people. According to the plans, the sorting office will share its site with new shops, offices, restaurants and a public space.
Bill Hayes, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, condemned the plan’s lack of consideration for local workers. “Boris says he is committed to delivering affordable housing for Londoners, but he has no idea about what that actually means for people working in the capital.”
However, Royal Mail Group Property Director Martin Gafsen said: “This is a great opportunity for us to contribute to the regeneration of the area around our iconic mail centre building.”
Digital journalist student Interactive Journalism at City University London.
@AshleyKirk92