Minister consents to judgment as council improves offers to estate residents

The Communities Secretary has notified Southwark Council that he is prepared to consent to judgment and ask the court to quash his decision not to confirm the compulsory purchase order for the remaining properties in Phase 1 of the Aylesbury Estate regeneration.

In September Sajid Javid concluded that Southwark had not done enough to acquire the land at the Aylesbury Estate by agreement. The minister also decided that the CPO would breach the human rights of the remaining leaseholders by forcing them to use their savings to buy a new property.

The local authority was initially refused permission on the papers for a judicial review of the Communities Secretary’s decision to turn down the compulsory purchase, but then secured the go-ahead following an oral hearing.

In a statement issued last month Southwark said the number of leaseholders on the Order Land had now been reduced to seven. The revised offers took into account the increases in values in the local property market and the availability of additional local properties which were considered affordable and suitable for residents’ needs, it added.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “We are really pleased that the Secretary of State has quashed his previous decision, and will now allow us to hold a new CPO inquiry. We remain committed to regenerating the Aylesbury Estate for the benefit of local residents.”

The statement said a consent order was being agreed with the Secretary of State’s lawyers and would be forwarded to the interested parties - Aylesbury leaseholders, their legal representatives and the 35% Campaign - shortly for their agreement.

“If the Court decides to quash the decision, then in accordance with the terms of the Consent Order the Secretary of State will arrange a new public inquiry to decide the merits of the Compulsory Purchase Order, to be held as soon as practicable,” Southwark said.

The Secretary of State is to pay Southwark’s reasonable legal costs to the date of the consent order.