A group of pensioners are six days into a sit-in protest in South-East London in an attempt to stop the demolition of their homes for a new housing development.
Residents on the Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead have occupied an empty property since April 6 to demonstrate against Bexley Council's awarding of planning permission for the Peabody housing association to demolish 816 properties and replace them with 2,778 new homes.
Despite claims by a Peabody spokesperson that regeneration of the area would be "the best option", residents have slammed the proposed developments, with some insisting that "even Peabody's forklifts" wouldn't be enough to make them move.
The group has vowed to remain in the property until they can speak to Peabody executives to propose the firm refurbishes, rather than demolishes, the empty homes on the estate.
Protesters are demanding talks with Peabody executives to call for refurbishments
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Dolorosa Buhari, 69, has lived on the estate since 2003, and is among the group of protesters staging the sit-in; she told the Evening Standard: "It's disheartening that we are all facing this at this time."
Buhari said the majority of the protesters were retired and claimed Peabody was "offering peanuts" for the homes for which they had worked all their lives to pay.
She also said she thought Peabody had chosen the area due to its proximity to the Elizabeth Line, but was adamant that residents wouldn't be moved despite the housing association's wishes.
The 69-year-old added: "The money they are offering cannot even get you a one-bedroom flat anywhere in London... I don't think even Peabody's forklifts will lift me away from here."
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Bexley Council had given Peabody housing association planning permission to demolish 816 properties and replace them with 2,778 new homes
Google/Peabody
Another resident-turned-demonstrator, 72-year-old Maria Ivanova, claimed that being told she had to move out of the flat in which she had lived since 2007 led to stress, which in turn led to health problems.
Ivanova said she had finished paying off her mortgage this year, fulfilling her lifelong dream of home ownership - but would be left homeless by the proposals.
She added: "I will not be able, at the age of 72, to be able to buy another house with the money that they suggest that we can have."
A Peabody spokesperson said: "Regeneration, which is supported by and was voted for by the majority of residents, is the best option.
"It will provide high-quality new homes that London desperately needs, replacing 816 old homes with 2,778 new ones.
"We understand that moving home can be a challenging time and we're supporting residents through this.
"We're giving every resident the opportunity to move into a new home on the estate.
"Those in social rented homes will continue to pay social rent, and resident homeowners are being offered a new home without the need to take on an additional mortgage."