1,000 signatures reached
To: Lambeth Council
Stop demolition of Olive Morris House during lockdown
Immediately suspend demolition work on Olive Morris House to prevent potential adverse health complications to residents during the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 gobal pandemic.
Why is this important?
On behalf of Olive Morris House Residents:
Lambeth Council, through Muse developments, has this morning (Monday 20th April 2020) begun demolition work on the council building Olive Morris House on Brixton Hill. Local residents were told on Friday 17th April, giving us just 2 days-notice.
The demolition was supposed to happen two years ago, and is part of the council’s ongoing ‘New Town Hall’ project - it is not essential safety work.
Whilst the demolition will happen at some point, we feel pressing ahead with it during the unprecedented Covid-19 global pandemic is reckless.
Lambeth has one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in London and the country. Continuing with the works at this time risks the health, well-being and quality of life of us as local residents, but also of the whole borough and of the demolition workers.
Residents have no choice but to stay at home in line with the government guidelines during lockdown with demolition works on our doorstep. Many of us are older and in the high-risk category for Covid-19 risk: noise and dust from this major demolition project will be unsettling. Many of us are already unable to leave our houses, but now we may also be unable to open our windows or for those of us that have them, use our gardens.
The impact on mental health and well-being, especially for the most vulnerable residents is an extreme concern. There will be no option for respite or escape from the demolition as we can't leave our homes under lockdown. Many of us are working from home and schooling our children and these works add unnecessary pressure and stress. When the New Town Hall development was in earlier stages, the developer supported people to work elsewhere when the build was taking place. This is not possible in lockdown.
It is not right for these works to proceed when everyone is being reminded of their duty to think about others, stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. Economic concerns are being put in front of the health, well-being and lives of Lambeth residents – we need this to change.
