A South East London resident has initiated legal action in an attempt to stop the planned demolition of his iconic brutalist housing estate, which famously appeared in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange. Adam Turk, who has lived as a social tenant on the Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead for around 17 years, has lodged a claim for a judicial review of Bexley Council's decision to approve the estate's demolition.
Background to the demolition plans
In December 2025, Bexley Council gave the green light to housing association Peabody to knock down the 1960s Lesnes Estate and construct up to 1,950 new homes in its place. This move has sparked significant controversy among remaining residents, many of whom have already vacated the estate, while others, like Mr Turk, are determined to stay in their long-term homes.
Legal challenge and environmental arguments
Mr Turk, represented by the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), filed the claim at the High Court on January 30, 2026. The legal challenge centres on environmental impact concerns, arguing that the planning documents downplay the harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the demolition. Specifically, the claim alleges that the environmental statement provided by Peabody breached the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations by not using the 'Rochdale envelope' approach, which assesses the maximum potential impact rather than an illustrative masterplan.
Mr Turk stated: "It's always the case that whenever we get these gentrification or regeneration schemes and programmes, it's never for the benefit of the local people who are already there. We're shoved out." He added that residents, whether homeowners, leaseholders, or social tenants, simply want to remain in their community.
Broader implications for London
Saskia O'Hara from PILC highlighted the wider context, noting that approximately 137 housing estates across London are marked for demolition. She emphasised: "These projects generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question our stated commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050." The case raises questions about the sustainability of demolition-and-rebuild approaches in housing delivery, particularly when they displace established communities.
Responses from involved parties
In response to the legal challenge, a Peabody spokesperson said: "We're investing in communities in and around South Thamesmead, supporting people, improving public areas and providing much-needed new homes. The planned redevelopment of the Lesnes Estate will help us expand this work and create an even better place for local people to live." Peabody has previously stated that the regeneration aims to benefit the community economically, environmentally, and socially.
Bexley Council has declined to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing. Mr Turk and other remaining residents await a decision from a judge on whether to accept the judicial review, expressing hope that the approval will be overturned to protect both their homes and the environment.
