They are not delivering anywhere near enough social housing despite what the article seems to say. Using percentages rather than actual numbers is skyways a giveaway when it comes to unreliable statistics. There’s also a big difference between affordable rent and social rent, while ‘affordable housing’ is beyond the means of those who really need it. Considering the amount of development in the borough the council’s performance is poor.As Gordon Southwell points out it’s concerning to know of the leverage required for Broadway Living, with a £400m loan underwritten by Ealing taxpayers. Much of the council’s supposed social housing provision is reliant on BL’s two key developments being built, at Perceval House and Gurnell. The former will incorporate a 26 storey tower in the heart of Ealing Broadway, while the latter will tear up a big chunk of Metropolitan Open Land.Whether any of this gets built is a moot point, as Cllr Manro indicates last year. Construction costs have soared, which could make some projects unviable, at least as far as social housing is concerned.Of course, there is a four bedroom property in Acton that could house a deserving family. They’d just have to prise it out of Julian Bell’s sweaty paws first!
Simon Hayes ● 460d