More Major Works Scandals Need Investigating, Say Lib Dems

Southwark Liberal Democrats have formally asked that the issues on the Chilton Grove Estate are formally looked at by OSC, following the damning reports into the Canada Estate, Devon Mansions, and Kirby Estate major works scandals.  

The delayed reports, which finally were discussed at the council’s housing scrutiny committee last week, exposed how poor contract management and incompetence from the council and contractors led to a combined overspend of over £6 million.  

Cllr Emily Tester, Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson and vice-chair of the committee, warned during the meeting that this is likely to be the “tip of the iceberg”, calling for Arica House to also receive the same investigations. Residents at Arica House say they experienced identical problems with their major works, with council incompetence leading to delays and overspends reaching over a million pounds.  

The Liberal Democrats are now asking the works on the Chilton Grove Estate to also be formally scrutinised as well. An abandoned infill project has left the estate a “building site”, with tarp on the blocks reportedly being there for more than 6 years. Alongside the abandoned rooftop build, leaseholders also say they’ve been charged for uncomplete or unsatisfactory works – such as repair to a lift which is out of service. 

The Chilton Grove project had previously hit national headlines in 2021 as an example of abandoned rooftop projects, and local headlines in 2024 when the project still remained uncompleted. 

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:  

“We said this was the tip of the iceberg, and we know of at least two estates - Arica House and Chilton Grove – that deserve their own investigations. We need the council to roll its sleeves up and revisit every other project that’s been delayed or overspent, and ensure that things are put right for tenants and leaseholders.  

Chilton Grove Estate is still a building site, 6 years after works first started. It’s absolutely unacceptable, and no surprise at all that the very same contractor’s behind Devon Mansions are also involved in this scandal too.  

We’re calling for all aspects of estate management on the Chilton Grove Estate – the abandoned infill project, shoddy repairs, and major works, to be looked at from top to bottom so that residents can get answers.”