On Tuesday 3 November, Lambeth councillors will decide whether to approve the application by Hondo Enterprises (owner of Brixton Village, Market Row and the former Club 414) to build a 20 storey tower in the heart of Brixton.
You can find more information about the planning application on Lambeth Council’s website.
Although Lambeth Council declared a climate emergency in January 2019, the planning department has recommended the application be approved even though the design does not meet the required BREEAM energy and sustainability standards. We call on Lambeth to stand behind its commitment to act in the light of the climate and ecological emergency. In order to achieve Lambeth’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2030, it will be necessary for us all to change our attitude towards progress. Unsustainable developments like this belong to the past.
We are also gravely concerned by the lack of meaningful consultation with the community. Hondo has not engaged with Brixton’s community leaders or groups. The proposal will negatively affect many Brixton communities including local residents, the Pope’s Road traders and Brixton Recreation Centre users. The No Hondo Tower campaign has worked extensively with the community and has gained support from a wide range of community groups. It is clear that Brixton neither wants nor needs the tower.
Extinction Rebellion Lambeth rebels overwhelmingly voted to support the campaign, commenting:
“This is part of respecting regenerative society and not accepting profit-at-any-cost or relentlessly pursuing the new and shiny.”
“The climate emergency tells us there should be no new construction… and the community response and years of gentrification in Brixton tell us this is not in the interests of social justice.”
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