Council accused over plans to build shops on housing estates

4.42.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 5th Oct 2008

Portobello Court has been earmaked as prime retail space - but did anyone bother to ask the people who live there?

The Kensington & Chelsea Liberal Democrats have accused the Council of "jumping the gun" over plans to build shops on the Portobello Court estate.

The controversial plan almost went completely unnoticed because all the Borough's housing stock is being reviewed by the Council, who say they will consult with residents on options for funding social rented housing in the future.

One of those options sees land being sold to retail developers to fund social housing. But long before a single resident had been consulted on the five options, one particular estate in Colville ward had already been singled out by the Council for a new supermarket.

And now, a new 'retail needs' report commissioned by the Council states that the front of Portobello Court "detracts from the character and enclosure of Portobello Road".

The report goes on to say: "The physical potential for extending the retail frontages as part of a major redevelopment of Portobello Court appears to be good."

Residents were already concerned after seeing an email from Conservative councillor Doreen Weatherhead which said:

"If the redevelopment of Portobello Court does go ahead, it will be years away, and yes there may well be a small supermarket on Westbourne Grove side. However there is in my mind no idea whatsoever that anyone will be thrown out - all tenants will have to be re-housed and the Freeholders bought out."

This talk of rehousing, which the Liberal Democrats say was 'cavalier and insensitive', provoked residents to demand a meeting with Council officials in September. The officials assured them no decision had yet been taken.

But local Lib Dem campaigner Carol Caruana said:

"We think the Council have jumped the gun. The point the Council are unable to answer is that the retail plan for Portobello Court had been set out in black and white long before any consultation on housing options which is only just now slowly getting under way. That consultation must be kept separate from retail 'needs'. These are people's homes. Residents deserve better treatment from the Council. The Lib Dems will fight to ensure they get it."