Councillors have defended the West Hendon regeneration project following claims tenants are experiencing ongoing problems after moving back into new properties.

At a meeting of the assets, regeneration and growth committee last night (June 14), West Hendon resident Jasmin Parsons called for a public inquiry into the regeneration project after reeling off a list of problems allegedly suffered by returning tenants.

She said people in new build properties had experienced problems with ventilation systems, while people with disabilities had been forced to live in poorly adapted flats.

Ms Parsons said: “A man in a wheelchair has been in a flat for two years and is still waiting for the adaptations so he can use his kitchen properly. He can’t use the bathroom properly and can’t open the windows.

“A lot of these people have disabilities and medical issues. They are now being asked to move into new properties very quickly without any adaptations being talked about.”

She also raised concerns that some tenants were not aware of their council tax bands, while others have reportedly had problems accessing GP services.

“The council has told them absolutely nothing,” Ms Parsons said.

She also claimed the council had failed to honour promises made to residents about the number of social dwellings that would be provided by the scheme.

The West Hendon regeneration project – a joint venture between Barratt London and Metropolitan Housing Trust (MHT) – will provide more than 2,000 homes when it is completed in 2027.

Some 543 of these will be affordable, with 256 available for social rent and 287 available under shared equity arrangements.

In response to Ms Parsons’ enquiries, council officers said: “There is no ‘growing problem’ of maintenance issues we are aware of.

“There have been minor issues with the cleaning of ventilation filtration systems but MHT have agreed that help will be provided to any tenant that needs assistance in cleaning these.”

They added that the MHT has a hotline that residents can call if they experience maintenance issues.

The council also stated that 95 per cent of tenants are happy with their new homes.

Committee chair Cllr Dan Thomas said: “You are requesting us to change the scheme and we are not going to do that. We will carry on with the mix of tenancies we have agreed.

“On the issue of maintenance, I am sorry to hear about the gentleman waiting for adaptations. If you can please provide details of the resident concerned, we will hasten those adaptations.”