Robin hood gardens closer to demolition

By John Hill on March 13, 2008 9:00 AM |

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ONE of the world’s most famous architects has backed it – but it seems a 1970s ‘brutalist’ housing estate next to Canary Wharf will soon be history unless it is listed.

The Wharf revealed how Robin Hood Gardens estate in Blackwall was under threat as part of a large regeneration scheme, and now demolition has come a step closer.

Last Wednesday (March 5) Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet gingerly approved a rough framework plan for the Blackwall Reach project, which would see up to 3,000 homes rise from the rubble of the 1970s structure.

English Heritage has not yet decided whether to recommend the listing of the building to the Government.

The original scheme is praised by Lord Rogers, the architect behind Canary Wharf’s new Riverside South project, who has echoed calls to retain the building, despite admitting it desperately needs a facelift.

He said: “It is shocking that the conditions of the buildings and landscape of Robin Hood Gardens have been allowed to deteriorate in the 35 years or so since it was built, making it an impossible place for residents to live in.
“However, the original design was visionary both in terms of architecture and the social issues it addressed.
“I consider it to be one of the most important modern buildings in Britain. With investment and good management, it can and should be restored.”

Architectural magazine Building Design is leading the charge to protect Peter and Alison Smithson’s 1972 creation, with a 1,000-signature petition populated by the biggest names in building.
But many residents and councillors can’t wait to see the bulldozers move in.

Council leader Denise Jones said: “It is our responsibility to put the needs of local residents first.
“We’re not against buildings of architectural merit, and if it should be listed, we’ll have to come back and consider other options for the scheme.
“The demolition wouldn’t happen for another two or three years in any case. This will give us time to get information from the secretary of state.”

Cllr Jones first pushed to delay the cabinet’s decision on the estate until more information had been received on the listing situation. But senior development officer Emma Peters called for immediate action, allowing developer English Partnerships to press ahead with an application to become a local housing company for the new Blackwall Reach scheme.

The southern section of the proposed site is owned by developer Ballymore, and concerns were raised that any delay could prompt the company to pursue its own project on the site.

Ms Peters said that the Blackwall Reach development would provide 800 affordable homes, allowing current estate residents to remain in the area. If the building was listed, up to £20million would have to be spent on refurbishment.

Blackwall and Cubitt Town councillor Peter Golds (Con) believes the building is an “unmitigated disaster”, and should make way for the new scheme.

He said: “Every time a resident gets out of that estate, I get at least three others at my next surgery asking how they did it.”