I am writing to object to the planning application that has been re-submitted by EastendHomes for the Eric, Treby et al estates.

Firstly I am appalled that these plans have been accepted at all as they are in all affect just a re-hash of the previous plans that were refused and turned down at the last planning meeting.

There have been no significant changes made in these “new” plans that address the objections made from the last plans. There has also been no attempt to consult with any of the tenants on the estates concerned or liaise with any concern residents association to discuss the issues previous raised and that continue to be a part of these “new” plans, apart from a half baked attempt at surveying the tenants with some obscure and loaded questions. The concept around consultation is to hold meetings and talk to tenants before the submission of plans and not afterwards or during as this becomes information giving not consultation so to assume that this pretence at consultation is at all relevant or meaningful is a sham.

Before Stock Transfer, EastendHomes made a promise to residents that they could provide the money to pay for essential repair & refurbishment work to our homes

They told us cross-subsidy, which is money from any new homes built on estates, would only be needed to pay for general 'environmental' improvements such as lighting and landscaping

Since Stock Transfer, EeH has put in planning applications for hundreds of new private flats on estates -

• British St – 161
• St Georges – 139
• Holland - 128
• Bede - 160
• Eric & Treby – 129 proposed

Why is this happening? On Eric & Treby Estates, the environmental improvements will cost approx 2million. But EeH now say they need to raise 7million. Did EeH get its sums wrong? Where is the money they promised to invest in our estates?

Why is Tower Hamlets Council allowing EastendHomes to break the promises made to residents in the offer documents and on the web site?

EeHlfa is now established as a borough-wide group, linking up leaseholders and freeholders across EeH estates after a meeting on the Isle of Dogs on 19th November

Attending were:-

• Cllr Tim Archer - Local Councillor & Conservative MP Candidate
• Gloria R Thienel - Chair EEHLA & Interim Vice Chair EEHLFA
• Andrew Coles - THLA Advice and support for leaseholders
• Jan Anstey Hayes - Interim Chair EEHLFA
• Linda Standing - Anti-social Behaviour Officer - EeH

....and many Leaseholders from all Eastendhomes Estates from around the borough. Standing room only.

Two late arrivals (a couple of years too late) Mr Paul Bloss - an executive film producer who dabbles in Social Housing Management and a Mr Peter Gibbs were not invited and not allowed in.

Linda Standing an EEH Anti-social Behaviour Officer spoke about the progress being made with ASB around the Manchester Road area. Proving that in this area at least EEH is making progress in improving the environment for residents.

Martin Young (Chair of the main Board EEH) bravely attempted to respond to some serious questions from residents. Though seemed to get in a bit of a pickle over the number of leaseholders on the main board.

The setting up of the new assocition is moving with along with great support.
Click here for the press release
Click here for report in The Wharf

As tenants and leaseholders of Tower Hamlets Council estates which were transferred to the ownership of EastendHomes, we have some questions. This is the first in a series of open letters to Mark Francis, the Lead Councillor for Housing and Planning at Tower Hamlets Council.

Dear Councillor Francis,

Our first questions relate to:

Providing Decent Homes - the consultation with residents on transfer of our estates to EeH

• Were the promises the Council made to us in our formal consultation documents ones that could be kept?
• Is EastendHomes keeping these promises to us in the subsequent development proposals for our estates?

Is EastendHomes keeping these promises to us in the subsequent development proposals for our estates?

Our second questions relate to:

Providing Affordable Homes – Tower Hamlets planning policy and housing strategy

• Do EastendHomes' development proposals meet strategic planning and housing policy objectives?

Read all - click here

Bernie Cameron - Bernie is Vice-Chair of the Main Board and represents the Mile End East Estates, where he chairs the local MECHT Board. At 78, Bernie is a longstanding tenant of British St Estate and has been a staunch supporter of EeH since joining the Board in 2004.

He is ably supported by Colin Antoine, another British St resident, who is a mere spring chicken at 46 and has served on the Board since 2007. Residents of the other Mile End East Estates, Bede and Eric & Treby are not currently represented on the main board of EeH.

Laura Driscoll is an EeH tenant from the Isle of Dogs who represents Christchurch and Island Gardens Estates. She has also served on the Board since 2007 and is a sprightly 60 year-old.