Local residents angry at lack of social housing at West Ham’s ground

The percentage of affordable and social homes planned at the Boleyn ground after the club moves is condemned as ‘unacceptable’ by council

After 112 years, the turnstiles of West Ham United’s famous Boleyn ground in east London will crank for the last time at the end of next season. When the club moves the few miles into the Olympic Stadium, the Boleyn – also known as Upton Park – is set to be redeveloped as a “village” of 838 homes.

Yet community campaigners and supporters are angry that, in an area with a crippling lack of social housing, only 6% of the homes are earmarked as affordable, and many local people would never be able to afford the luxury flats on offer. The planning application, which was presented for approval earlier this month, makes no mention of any social housing in spite of a requirement in Newham council’s core strategy that big developments must deliver 35% to 50% affordable homes, of which 60% should be social housing.

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from Football | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1BLURAP