Protesters have staged a sit-in protest at an estate where Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange was filmed over claims a regeneration project of the area is akin to ‘ethnic cleansing’.
Locals occupied Lakeside Centre, Thamesmead, in south east London, on Saturday night and unfurled a black banner on a roundabout with ‘end art washing’ written in green letters.
Nicknamed Little Lagos due to them being one of the UK’s largest communities of Nigerian heritage, they claim they are being priced out of a new development that will see their 816-home Lesnes estate bulldozed and replaced with 2,778 new ones.
The area famously featured in Kubrick’s film adaptation of Anthony Burgess dystopian novel 50 years ago.
It was hailed as the ‘town of tomorrow’ when it was built in the 1960s, and is now seen as a more attractive proposition for city workers with the arrival of the Elizabeth Line meaning quicker travel times to central London.
Housing association Peabody has been granted outline planning permission by Bexley council, but plans have been held up with application being referred to the secretary of state.
Protester Esther Ovba told The Guardian she felt the area is being gentrified.
The Nigerian said: ‘Some members of the community are being moved to other areas like Rochester and Gillingham and more white, middle-class people are moving in. To me it feels like ethnic cleansing.’
Seven protesters briefly occupied an arts centre on Saturday where more than 40 artists currently live and work.
But residents have argued that many of those living there are not locals.
The centre is run by charity Bow Arts in partnership with Peabody, with a spokesperson saying that the properties are offered to the London borough of Bexley first.
A Bexley council spokesperson said: ‘The council acknowledges the depth of feeling expressed by longstanding residents.
‘While the regeneration programme is being delivered by Peabody and is not directly managed by the council, we remain committed to supporting residents and ensuring that their voices are heard throughout this process.’
John Lewis, Peabody’s executive director for sustainable places, said: ‘Since 2014, we’ve invested millions of pounds in community buildings, outdoor spaces, culture and communities in Thamesmead.
‘We’re bringing derelict community spaces back to life alongside building much-needed homes – and have created six new community or cultural spaces since 2018.
‘Keeping the community together is really important to us. We’re offering all residents on the Lesnes estate new homes.
‘People living in a social rented home will continue to pay social rent in a brand-new home.
‘Resident homeowners have the chance to buy a 1960s home like theirs on the neighbouring estate, or they can move into one of the new homes over the road, or we have offered to provide an additional 35% in equity or deposit to help them buy any other home locally.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Peabody for further comment.
