Community members take council to court to protect their homes on Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead amid fears over forced eviction and environmental impact of redevelopment

A group of determined residents on the Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead, southeast London, are fighting back after plans to demolish their homes were approved.

The estate, a prime example of brutalist architecture and famous for featuring in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film A Clockwork Orange, now faces an uncertain future as locals launch a legal challenge to remain in their properties.

Protest Occupations and Community Resistance

Many residents have taken direct action to oppose the demolition.

Some are occupying empty homes, rotating in 12-hour shifts to prevent demolition crews from moving in.

Letters taped to windows make their message clear: “Housing is a human right” and “Hands off our homes.”

Others display signs highlighting the lack of facilities for homeless people in London.

The Daily Mail observed that locals are nervous, often darting between buildings and keeping lookout for enforcement teams.

Fear and uncertainty are palpable among the community, with many residents too afraid to speak openly.

Adam Turk Leads the Legal Fight

At the forefront of the campaign is Adam Turk, a social tenant who has lived on the estate since 2009.

He has enlisted the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) to challenge Bexley Council’s December 2026 approval of the demolition plans.

Turk, 53, expressed his frustration: “It’s a disgrace. People who’ve contributed to this community for decades are being abandoned. We don’t feel they have a legal right to make us leave.”

Peabody, the housing association behind the redevelopment, insists that residents will have the option to move into newly built homes nearby in South Thamesmead.

But many tenants reject this as a substitute, arguing that new developments are flimsy compared to the robust homes they currently occupy.

Environmental Concerns Add Another Layer

The legal challenge is not only about homes and heritage — it also targets Peabody’s environmental assessment.

The residents argue that the council’s planning documents downplay the greenhouse gas emissions that will result from demolishing the estate and building nearly 2,000 new homes.

The environmental statement, while acknowledging significant emissions, describes them as “minor adverse,” a point contested by the residents.

Adam Turk highlights what he sees as a deliberate minimization of environmental impact: “They’re sweeping us under the carpet.

Our rights have been abandoned. They don’t want to face the true environmental consequences of this redevelopment.”

Personal Stories Highlight Community Attachment

The campaign has drawn attention to the deep personal connection residents have with their homes.

Colin McCarthy, 45, has lived on the estate for decades with his parents and says, “We love it here. Leaving would be devastating. This is a huge part of our lives.”

Other residents, including Patrick Passon, 34, and Clifford Young, 42, share similar sentiments, emphasizing that redevelopment plans feel more like a pursuit of profit than a genuine public interest.

One woman even declared her willingness to chain herself to her front door to prevent eviction, stating, “I am a British citizen. I’ve lived and worked here all my life. This is my home. I am going nowhere.”

A Cinematic Landmark Under Threat

The Lesnes Estate is more than just housing; it is part of cinematic history.

Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange filmed several violent and iconic scenes around the estate’s concrete walkways, cementing its place in film culture.

The broader Thamesmead area, originally envisioned in the 1960s as a “town of tomorrow” by architects at the Greater London Council, has since become more accessible thanks to the Elizabeth Line, increasing its appeal to commuters and City workers.

Peabody and Council Statements

While Bexley Council has declined to comment, Peabody maintains that the redevelopment will benefit local communities.

A spokesperson said, “We’re investing in South Thamesmead, supporting residents, improving public areas, and providing much-needed new homes.

The planned redevelopment of Lesnes Estate will help us expand this work and create an even better place for local people to live.”

What’s Next?

The legal challenge will likely focus on both residents’ rights and environmental concerns.

Court proceedings will examine whether Peabody’s plans adequately consider the “reasonable worst-case scenario” of the development’s environmental impact, as required by law.

Meanwhile, around 100 residents remain on the estate, prepared to resist eviction and continue their protest occupations.

Summary

The Lesnes Estate, an architectural and cinematic landmark, is at the center of a tense dispute in Thamesmead.

Residents, led by Adam Turk, are fighting to remain in their homes after Bexley Council approved demolition plans by Peabody to build nearly 2,000 new units.

Protests, legal challenges, and personal stories highlight the deep attachment to the estate and the community’s determination to resist displacement.

Environmental concerns add another layer to the conflict, as residents argue the redevelopment downplays significant emissions.

With the case pending, the future of both the estate and its tight-knit community remains uncertain.