Peabody tenants fight sell-off plans

The Southwark Street Tenants Association are opposing the pending sale of E Block on Peabody's Southwark Street estate and the use of private companies to run services.

The tenants are also concerned about a move to market renting and claim that every flat which becomes available appears goes to market rent.

Protest organiser Dorothy Bates debating the issues with Peabody Trust director of residents' services Sally Harvey on BBC London News

The Peabody Trust confirms that there are 37 market rent flats on its Southwark Street estate but says that there are no plans to sell flats there currently occupied by assured or secure tenants as they become empty.

"The additional rent from from market rent units across all estates, where we use this tenure, makes an important contribution to meet the Trust's costs" says estate strategy manager Mary Popham.

"It is a sad irony that we have to sell homes," said chief executive Steve Howlett.

Meanwhile several vacant flats in Marshalsea Road's Douglas Flats block are being advertised by residential auctioneers.