Tenants on Southwark’s Aylesbury estate have voted against transfer – blocking plans for a massive regeneration of the area. Almost three-quarters of the76 per cent of tenants who turned out to vote rejected proposals to transfer to Faraday Community Housing Association.

Transfer was needed to allow a £375 million pound regeneration project to go ahead. But the fundability of the scheme had been questioned in a report by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Inside Housing, 30 November 2001).

A spokesperson for Southwark Council said they were ‘stunned’ by the result: ‘The leader’s view is that tenants have had their say. Where we go from now is to look at the options available.’

Leader of Southwark council Stephanie Elsy is seeking a meeting with housing minister Lord Falconer to discuss what alternatives now exist for the estate.

Meanwhile residents in Hackney’s 952 sheltered homes have voted to transfer to Hanover Housing Association. The plans promise £41 million of improvements to homes. Mark Weeks of Defend Council Housing said the parties against transfer worked together in Southwark unlike those in Hackney.