"Damning” new reports showing crumbling Southwark Estates just the tip of the iceberg

New reports seen by the Southwark Liberal Democrats show that Thaxted Court and Damory House on the Abbeyfield Estate have severe structural weaknesses and “concrete cancer”.  

The report was commissioned as part of a wider project surrounding redevelopment of the estate following the demolition of Maydew House, which after 10 years standing empty, finally came down earlier this year.  

Local Liberal Democrat Councillors say that they have been raising serious concerns about cracks in walls, damp and mould, pests, and structural issues in garages for years. This latest report confirms those concerns, and recommends that “urgent” interventions are needed.

The report also suggests that cracks in the walls – which had previously been raised by councillors – may have been made worse by the demolition works on Maydew House.  

Following findings of “serious failings” by the social housing regulator, the council is due to complete its first full stock condition survey across all its properties in over 15 years – with the last one being commissioned when the Liberal Democrats ran Southwark Council.  

The Liberal Democrats say that the damning findings of this smaller stock condition survey on the Abbeyfield Estate are just the tip of the iceberg, and warn that similar findings could be made across the 36,000 homes in the council’s possession.  

That larger survey was meant to have completed its initial 40% of properties by March, but that has now been pushed back, with only the first 20% to be inspected by March. 

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson and Housing Scrutiny Vice-Chair Cllr Emily Tester said:  

“The report on Abbeyfield Estate is nothing short of damning. Serious structural issues, cracks in walls, and concrete that is literally rotting away. These are all issues that Liberal Democrat councillors have been raising for years, but have been left to get worse by this council that just didn’t care.  

Residents have been living in the shadow of an empty Maydew House for a decade, whilst functionally living on a building site, all whilst their own estate was crumbling around them. 

This is the neglect that we’ve come to expect from this Labour council, who are the worst landlords in London. The Abbeyfield Estate report will just be the tip of the iceberg as the wider survey of council properties is likely to unearth the full extent of Labour’s housing neglect.”