Canada Water approved with just 9% affordable homes as Labour “waves through” scheme

The Canada Water Masterplan has been approved – delivering just 9% affordable housing across the scheme, a dramatic drop from the 35% originally promised to residents.

Despite last-minute changes securing 20% affordable homes in one phase, the overall scheme still falls to just 9%, leaving the vast majority of homes out of reach for local people.

The decision follows years of reductions in affordable housing on the site, which at one stage dropped as low as 3%. 

Liberal Democrats say the outcome reflects a failure of Labour at every level – with Sadiq Khan overseeing city-wide cuts to affordable housing expectations, and Southwark Labour failing to stand up for local residents.

Last year, Sadiq Khan colluded with big developers and the Labour Government to slash affordable housing requirements from 35% to just 20%. 

With more than 22,000 households on the housing waiting list, campaigners say the scheme falls far short of what is needed. 

At the last Council Assembly, local campaigner JK Doran directly challenged Labour councillors over the collapse in affordable housing on the scheme, warning they were letting residents down.

JK Doran, local Liberal Democrat campaigner, said:

“Labour have let down local residents allowing just 9% affordable homes at Canada Water Masterplan.

“I directly challenged Labour on this at Council Assembly on this, because residents deserve answers.

“We were promised a development that would work for local people. Instead, Labour have waved through this scheme and failed to stand up for the needs of local residents.”

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Opposition, added:

“Labour are in power everywhere, yet this is what they deliver.

“A scheme that was meant to include 35% affordable homes has been chipped away year after year, ending up at just 9%.

“In the middle of a housing crisis, with tens of thousands waiting for a home, this simply isn’t good enough.

“Only the Liberal Democrats have consistently fought to improve this scheme and stand up for local residents.”