THE sale of homes on Crown estates in London is being raised in Parliament by George Galloway who has tabled a Commons motion condemning the proposed sell off. It follows a protest in East London by tenants outside the Crown Estate office

By Mike Brooke Picture: Olivia Harris

THE row over the sale of homes on Crown estates in London is being raised in Parliament.

George Galloway has tabled a Commons motion condemning the proposed sell off.

It follows Saturday’s demonstration in East London by angry tenants outside the Crown Estate office near Victoria Park.

Many are key workers such as teachers, nurses and police officers who fear the sell-off to a private landlord would mean rent hypes and tenancy security in danger.

They waved placards on the pavement declaring Our homes are not for sale.’

Victoria Park Residents’ Association’s chair Joannie Andrews said afterwards: “This could mean the break up of a community. We made our feelings known to the Crown Estate and will continue to campaign.”

The Commons motion by George Galloway, whose Bethnal Green & Bow constituency includes part of the Victoria Park Estate, condemns the sell-off as giving no guarantees that future landlords would not significantly raise tenants’ rents and leaseholders’ service charges, or preserve existing tenancy security.

It calls for safeguards for key workers living in the affordable’ properties “whose services are essential to our local community.”

Crown Estate investment director Paul Clark met Hackney South & Shoreditch MP Meg Hillier at the House of Commons on February 4 over the plans he said were “only a proposal at this stage and no final decisions will be made until after consultation.”

The protests began last week after residents received a letter from Crown estates about the proposed freehold sale of the terraces near Victoria Park and four other Crown estates at Millbank in Westminster, Cumberland Market near Regent’s Park and Lee Green in south-east London.