The new tower on Golden Lane estate

MORE than 60 new social homes are sitting empty a year after residents were told they could move into them.

The hold-up at Black Raven Court, a new development on the Golden Lane estate, was described as “scandalous” in the midst of London’s housing crisis.

Work has stopped on the 14-storey site on the border between Islington and the City of London ­– both authorities have been involved in the project ­– but those promised the much-needed properties are still waiting for the keys.

The City of London’s most recent update issued to residents is that the delay is because “the project team needs to undertake extra work to an area of brickwork on the western side, located behind the balconies”.

This was back in March but no further work has been seen on the estate.

Phil Graham, a councillor for Bunhill Ward where the flats are located, said the empty homes were “disgraceful”.

“The City of London and the contractors need to knock their heads together and get this sorted, so we can put our residents and residents from the City in there,” he said.

The site was provided by Islington Council, but the City of London Corporation was responsible for building the flats.

The Town Hall has contributed £7million to the project, which now has ran up a total bill of more than £37million.

Both authorities have nomination rights to place people in more than 30 homes each.

Cllr Graham added: “We’ve got families who have been promised properties, they are waiting for them. They’re having to remain in temporary accommodation, these things need to be sorted out.

“If I was one of those people waiting for a place, I would be fuming, I would be absolutely seething.”

Steve Jones, who has been living in the block next door for 23 years, described the empty flats as “scandalous”.

He said: “It’s constantly being rammed down our throats that there’s this housing crisis in central London, and now there’s a block of flats, that they demanded had to be built because there’s a need for housing within the area, and it’s empty.”

Mr Jones added: “There’s no excuse for this, it’s down to poor project management, and just not keeping an eye on things.”

Another resident in Mr Jones’ block – who preferred to remain anonymous – agreed. “It’s absolutely appalling that it’s been sitting there vacant,” they said.

“It seems insane. We’ve put up with the building of this all through the pandemic. It’s been going on for five years, and not a single person has actually moved in.”

Sue Pearson, chair of the Golden Lanes estate residents’ association added that residents had been left feeling frustrated with the City of London Corporation, having been “failed time after time”.

“It’s their lives and their homes that are constantly at the bottom of priorities,” she said.
Islington’s housing chief, Councillor Una O’Halloran, said: “We want everyone in Islington to have a safe, decent and genuinely affordable home.

“Over 15,000 people are waiting for a council house in Islington, so we are doing everything in our power to provide more council homes.

“The Golden Lane development has been built by the City of London Corporation. Islington Council contributed up to £7million – which came from the sale of our council homes through the Right to Buy scheme – in order to secure 33 much-needed new homes for Islington residents. These homes will be available at social rent.”

The City of London would not answer questions about why the development has been delayed, or when exactly residents could expect to move in.

A spokesperson said: “Black Raven Court will deliver much-needed homes for social rent.

“The development is nearing completion, and we expect residents to move in next year.

“The site also includes the state-of-the-art City of London Primary Academy Islington, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

“We are proud to be a social landlord supporting residents and investing tens of millions across the City and six neighbouring boroughs.”