‘It will break us’: Fight to stop tower block ‘whitewashing black capital of the UK’ Brixton

Brixton residents have made a last-ditch plea to the mayor of London to stop plans for a 20-storey tower block being built in the heart of the “black capital of the UK”.

Billionaire property developer and DJ Taylor McWilliams lodged plans with Lambeth council to build a 20-story skyscraper on Popes Road, Brixton, Lambeth.

Mr McWilliams, whose property firm Hondo Enterprises owns the historic Brixton markets, previously caused outcry with the eviction of beloved local business Nour Cash and Carry.

Sparking fury, the move saw community campaign Save Nour set up to fight the decision, which saw the shop successfully relocated nearby.

Now, Save Nour is fighting to prevent the tower’s construction after the plans were granted approval by mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

In January, Mr Khan announced he would reconsider his decision, saying he had not been aware of the full details of the opposition to the project.

Ahead of tomorrow’s deadline to submit objections to the scheme to the mayor, Save Nour has shared over 1,000 cards objecting to the “gentrification and displacement” of “the site of black resistance” and black London communities.

In a video posted on Twitter, campaigners read a message to Mr Khan, stating: “We are Brixton. We are London.

“Enclosed in this package is 1,404 cards. 1,404 voices of 1,404 people we’ve spoken to since June 2021 on Popes Road in Brixton at the foot of where the tower is proposed to be built.

“[They] represent 1,404 conversations about gentrification, displacement and the feeling of being left out of the rooms of power - the rooms where decisions happen and money talks.”

A spokesperson for Hondo Enterprises said the firm “strongly refutes the notion our proposals will gentrify and erase the history of the area” and said the project would deliver an extension to Brixton Market, 1,800 new jobs, including 25,000sq ft of workspace, a £1m skills and training fund for local residents and a £1.875m jobs and skills fund for Lambeth Council.

The Save Nour letter continued: “Brixton is the black capital of the UK, home of the Windrush generation, home of the Black Cultural Archives.

“Forty years after the riots Brixton is still the site of black resistance. Still we show up to respond to racial injustice.

“This place is precious, unique and must be protected at all costs.”

Another campaigner continued: “To choose not to protect Brixton and its proud black heritage makes a damning statement about London and the priorities of its leaders.

“Gentrification is about political decisions of who is and is not welcome in London.

“This tower will displace us. It shows utter disregard to the community that thrives here. It will whitewash Brixton. It will break us.”

Campaigners urged Mr Khan to “make the right choice” and called for him to “take a stand for a London that is open to all… that takes pride in, cherishes and sustains the working people from all backgrounds that built the city from the ground up.”

The public consultation on plans for the tower closes on Friday, December 17.

A date for the public hearing on the scheme is yet to be decided by the London Assembly.

The Hondo Enterprises spokesperson said: “Our proposals for Pope’s Road will unlock an array of social and economic benefits for existing Brixton residents and the wider borough. This includes an extension of the revered and world-famous Brixton Market, as well as new links and connections through the heart of Brixton, while also delivering a dedicated community space which will be managed by a panel of five community leaders, with ties to the Brixton area.

“The proposals will support the delivery of 1,800 jobs over what exists currently, including 25,000sq ft of affordable workspace, which will be managed by social enterprise Impact Brixton, who are the only black-owned co-working space in Europe. Alongside this, we will be delivering a £1m bespoke skills and training fund, targeted at local residents, in addition to a jobs and skills programme aimed at Lambeth Council worth £1.875m.

“The proposals have been designed by internationally renowned architects, Adjaye Associates, who have intimate knowledge of Brixton and its rich history of the area, having designed the Cherry Groce Memorial Pavilion in Windrush Square. We strongly refute the notion that our proposals will gentrify and erase the history of the area.

“Indeed we are proud of the fact that we have provided support and assistance to fledgling and established BAME start-ups in the area, including Re:Sole, a social enterprise which donates trainers to those in financial hardship, as well as supporting local entrepreneurs such as Karl Lokko and Cyril Lutterodt, who run Black Seed, a community and seed fund, set up to break down the historic barriers BAME entrepreneurs have faced when trying to obtain funding.

“We have also supported units that are specifically looking to improve diversity within their field, including helping a BAME focussed bookshop which now have permanent premises in Brixton Village. Across the markets, 96% of employees are from BAME backgrounds.

“Further we reject the assertion that there is uniform opposition to the proposals. During Lambeth Council’s statutory consultation on the plans, 1,384 letters of support were received with the vast majority of these concentrated in Central Brixton.

“Our proposals will help meet the pent-up demand for office space in the area, an issue which has been consistently raised by local businesses, including Impact Brixton, as well as delivering one of the most comprehensive packages of benefits the borough of Lambeth has seen.”

The Mayor of London has been approached for comment.

For more information on the plans and to submit an objection, visit the London Assembly website and to learn more about the Save Nour campaign, visit their website.