Wandsworth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Wandsworth Council announces a September resident ballot for Alton Estate in Roehampton as part of long-term regeneration and renewal efforts in the area.
All eligible people are being urged to learn more about the plans and make sure their opinions are heard in this crucial decision for the future of their neighborhoods and houses.
They acknowledge the historical difficulties the Alton Estate has experienced and are dedicated to making improvements that will benefit the present and future generations that call it home.
In order to address long-standing concerns and provide high-quality, sustainable housing and community amenities, such as a new library, a revised and greatly improved masterplan is currently approaching a crucial stage.
Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council said:
“Our updated plans for the Alton are addressing the need for investment to create high-quality, well-maintained homes and facilities for generations to come. We’ve listened to what people have said and we’re confident that this next phase of the Alton Renewal Plan shows we’re committed to serving the real needs of residents.
We now ask residents to review these new masterplan proposals and cast their vote in September – each and every vote counts and the decision will determine how we move forward with transforming the estate for everyone.”
A major advancement was made with the recent publication of the updated planned masterplan and its approval by the Council’s cabinet on June 16.
Among the new plans’ salient features are:
- More affordable housing: A key component of the updated plan is a significant rise in really cheap housing, which will help the borough’s pressing housing requirements and guarantee that more Alton residents can stay in their neighborhood.
- Improved community facilities: From new youth spaces to easily accessible community hubs, the masterplan describes expanded and upgraded community facilities that are intended to create an even greater sense of belonging and offer essential services for all locals.
- Modern replacement shopping parade: A brand-new shopping parade with contemporary retail spaces is suggested, which will revitalize the estate’s center and provide convenience.
Their approach to investing in the estate, in collaboration with local stakeholders, companies, and community organizations, can be found in the Alton Renewal Plan. Their long-term engagement with residents and the larger local community yielded insights and ideas that were incorporated into the renovation plan.
The neighborhood has seen immediate improvements since the plan’s introduction in July of last year, including:
- opening a Family Hub
- opening a dedicated community safety and police touchdown space
- putting in new litter bins
- resurfacing roads and improving pavements
- bringing Employ Wandsworth, our flagship jobs fair, to Roehampton
- increasing local bus services
- planning the revamp of play areas and community facilities.
How might the resident ballot influence the estate’s future redevelopment?
The ballot gives residents direct power to accept or reject the Council’s preferred redevelopment plan. A majority “yes” vote signals community consent, granting the Council democratic legitimacy and mandate to proceed with the project. Without resident approval, plans can be stalled, altered, or abandoned.
The outcome of the ballot can lead to changes in the scope, scale, or design of redevelopment proposals. Councils and developers often engage with residents beforehand to address concerns and incorporate feedback to secure a favorable vote. Poor support may require revisiting plans to better align with resident priorities.
For many regeneration projects in London, including those requiring significant demolition, a positive resident ballot is a precondition for accessing public funding, particularly from the Greater London Authority (GLA). Failure in the ballot can jeopardize or delay the financial viability of redevelopment.