Councillor Pancho Lewis, West End Ward has called for a Council investigation into the development at 90-104 Berwick Street to:
- Uncover why the Council so severely underestimated how long building works would last, and what measures will be put in place to hold developers to account so the project is finished as quickly as possible
- Uncover what compensation the local community is entitled to.
- Examine any financial links between developers and their agents and public authorities. The investigation should achieve full transparency and consider whether there has been any improper behaviour or conduct.
- Put the views and concerns of the local community at the forefront of the investigation by engaging them from the outset
On 30 October a power cut caused by the development led to the loss of power for local businesses and market traders, forcing them to close early and lose vital business. Some residents were also impacted.
Councillor Pancho Lewis said:
“This is only the latest episode in a process that has gone on for more than three years which has left the local community reeling. They have been on the sharp end of a development designed to make an elite wealthy whilst everyone else suffers and Soho gradually loses its character. Residents have suffered the constant disruption of diggers as well as fires and floods at the basement of Kemp House. Market traders and local businesses have weathered repeated blows, losing a huge amount of business in the process – with many forced to close down. Throughout the process, the developers have shown an absolute disregard for local people’s needs. This needs to end once and for all.”