Labour frontbencher accused of ignoring the homeless over housing demolition

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has been accused of ignoring the pleas of hundreds of his own constituents who are in risk of losing their homes.

The Labour frontbencher, who is leading legislation to abolish no-fault evictions has thus far refrained from intervening in a dispute between residents and Greenwich Council.

The dispute centres on a demolition order given by the council to demolish Mast Quay Phase II, a pair of blocks in Woolwich over "deviations" from the original planning permission.

Residents argue that the flats are "well built" and are "perfectly good" and dispute the notion that they should be demolished, the Daily Mail reported.

Save our Sails, a local campaign group said: "The residents - our families and neighbours - could be kicked out of our homes because Greenwich Council and Comer Homes won't negotiate a sensible resolution to resolve differences between original plans for the development and the building that stands today.

"Greenwich Council can stop the enforcement action. What sort of example does it set to the rest of Greenwich's residents if their own Council, instead of protecting them, is abandoning them?"

It is unclear how much influence local MP Mr Pennycook could have with key stakeholders but there is a growing clamour for him to at least try and intervene on their behalf.

A spokesperson for the Save Our Sails residents group said: 'We are disappointed by the lack of engagement with not just our MP, Matthew Pennycook, but our local councillors on Greenwich Council.

"Residents have sent letters asking for help and an explanation as to why we have this demolition uncertainty hanging over our heads.

"We have also invited Mr Pennycook and the others to come and meet us, look at our flats, and inspect the building. However, the invitation has been rebuffed, and there has been no explanation or help offered."

Donovan Thompson, a Mast Quays resident of over a year, said: "Matthew Pennycook should be here helping his constituents out. Why are the councillors and the MP going quiet on us? I bet there's another agenda."

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "We are aware that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken enforcement action against the Mast Quay development in Woolwich, and this has been appealed by the developer.

"The appeal will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate, and it would be inappropriate to comment further."

A Comer Homes spokesperson said last week: "It is heartening to hear from the residents of Mast Quay that they are happy in their homes. We sympathise with each and every one of our tenants during what must be an unsettling time."