The Golden Lane estate

SIXTY brand-new social rent homes have stood empty for two years in a delay which was this week described as a “grotesque, bizarre and unprecedented” situation.

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 properties at Black Raven Court on the Golden Lane estate are still waiting for the keys to move in.

The City of London Corporation was responsible for building the flats and Islington Council had contributed £7million to the project. Each of the authorities has the nomination rights for 30 flats to house residents.

In a letter to the Tribune, Islington’s housing chief Labour Councilor John Woolf said that he and ward councillors were “deeply frustrated and appalled by the ongoing delays at the Golden Lane development and the impact it is having on Islington residents”, adding: “What should have been a beacon of progress, delivering much-needed social housing, has instead become a symbol of broken promises and bureaucratic failure. People were hopeful when they first saw the works being completed, believing they finally had a secure, affordable home. But instead, they’re still waiting – some in overcrowded flats, other in temporary accommodation.”

The Tribune first raised the delays to getting into desperately needed homes last July, but nearly a year later there has been no change.

Cllr John Woolf

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

It is understood that the Town Hall have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of communication from the City of London, who have consistently given them “wishy-washy excuses” as to why the contractors are waiting to give the green light.

There are currently more than 16,500 people on the social housing waiting list in Islington.

Cllr Woolf said it was “an absolute disgrace” that the City of London had allowed the delays and were not penalising the developers.

“[These homes] have become a case study in how not to deliver for local people. The City of London Corporation, which is responsible for the site, must urgently explain the cause of the delays and set out a clear timeline for when these homes will be available,” he added.

A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “Black Raven Court will provide much-needed social housing. The development is nearly complete, and we expect residents to move in later this year.

“The delay has primarily been caused by a dispute with the main contractor, which is now in administration.

“We plan to move residents into Black Raven Court in September 2025, subject to the building being registered with the Building Safety Regulator.”