THE London Assembly is to quiz the Crown Estate in public tomorrow over controversial plans to sell off the freehold to hundreds of homes. Its housing committee is questioning the plans which caused a storm of protest earlier this year

MEMBERS of the London Assembly are to quiz the Crown Estate in public tomorrow over controversial plans to sell off the freehold to hundreds of homes.

The Assembly's housing committee is questioning Crown Estate chairman Sir Stuart Hampson about the proposals which caused a storm of protest from families earlier this year.

It is to ask Sir Stuart about the proposed sale of Victoria Park Estate in East London along with three other estates at Cumberland Market in Camden, Millbank near Victoria and Lee Green in Lewisham.

Crown Estate decided to go ahead with the sale of the freeholds despite protests from 'key worker' families worried about their tenancy security, which led to a question in the Commons in March.

Marketing the estates to potential buyers has now gone ahead, along with further consultations with tenants, despite a public outcry from MPs, City Hall and local authorities.

The committee starts its questioning of Sir Stuart at 5pm in the public session at City Hall, near Tower Bridge, which can be viewed by webcast on the London Assembly's website.