Reed pleaded with Khan to block Controversial Woodgate Tower Development

The Daily Telegraph has unearthed that the new Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government previously pleaded with another Streatham resident, London's Major Sir Sadiq Khan to "call in the application".

Mr Reed wrote: 

“Many of my constituents have concerns over the bulk and massing of the proposed development, specifically the proposed four towers that they see as out of proportion with other buildings in the local area."

“Residents have concerns relating to direct overlooking and overshadowing given the proposed height of the development. I ask if you could call in the application.”

Brixton Buzz reported last year that more than 1,000 local people had lodged objections to the “Streatham Blot” development. Despite residents many concerns, Lambeth Council gave their approval of the scheme on the 19th March 2024.

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The Woodgate Tower is a proposed 14-storey, 274-flat residential development in Streatham, London, which has faced significant local opposition due to its height, density, and potential impact on the character of the suburb and its protected views from Streatham Common. Despite over 1,000 objections and a crowdfunding campaign for legal advice to challenge Lambeth Council's approval, the project, brought forward by Hadley Property Group and Clarion Housing Group was approved by the GLA in October 2024. The development plans include social rent and shared ownership homes, along with a new GP surgery.  

According to Google Gemini AI bot, 

The Secretary of State, representing the government and formerly known as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), can override or intervene in planning decisions in London, particularly for applications that are of strategic importance to London or where a local authority is failing in its planning duties. The Secretary of State has the power to "call in" applications, meaning the Secretary of State becomes the deciding authority, or can direct the Mayor of London or a local planning authority to refuse or approve an application.

Whether the new Housing Secretary chooses to revisit these controversial plans that so many of his constituents have previously  raised concerns about  and "call in the application" remains to be seen. Certainly there appears to be a conflict of interest between what his local constitutes, who want to protect and preserve the character of the local area, and his own ambitions  as Housing Secretary to be seen delivering on this government' commitment to build 1.5m new homes over the course of this parliament despite the headwinds in the current economic climate.