Westminster Council’s Labour councillors have tabled a motion asking for the Conservative-led council to confirm that the re-design of the Chelsea Barracks development will still require 50% affordable housing.
The Labour motion reads: ‘This council reaffirms its requirement for 50 per cent on-site affordable housing, together with a range of social, community and leisure facilities, on the Chelsea Barracks site in order to provide for a genuinely mixed community comprising families of all income levels.’
The motion will be discussed at the next council meeting on 15 July.
Councillor Guthrie McKie, Labour's housing spokesperson said: ‘It is essential that the council makes a very public statement that on-site affordable housing must remain an essential element of the Chelsea Barracks redevelopment.
‘Developments which include a genuine mix of housing are the lifeblood of successful communities and it is important that the council sends out a strong message that creating a 'rich man's ghetto' will not be supported.’
The first application for the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks – led by site-owners, Qatari Diar – was withdrawn before a planning meeting last month following widespread criticism of the scheme, including from the Prince of Wales.