Housing Secretary accused of hypocrisy over blocking flats in his own constituency

Despite the Housing Secretary’s mantra of “build, baby, build,” the Telegraph reveals Steve Reed tried to block a housing development last year in his own constituency.

Steve Reed, who took over the housing brief from Angela Rayner after she resigned over failing to pay enough stamp duty, shared a now-deleted social media post calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to intervene over a development of 237 flats in his Streatham and Croydon North constituency.

The Conservatives have accused Mr Reed of “blatant housing hypocrisy” over the scandal.

Many of my constituents have concerns

As Housing Secretary, Mr Reed says he wants to “build, baby, build” and is “doubling down on our plans to unleash one of the biggest eras of building in our country’s history, and we are backing the builders all the way,” aiming to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.

However, the Telegraph reveals Mr Reed pleaded with Mayor Sadiq Khan to block the development of 237 new flats on an old Homebase site in Streatham Vale.

According to the newspaper, a now-deleted social media post shared a letter from Mr  Reed to Mayor Khan, in which he said residents in his constituency had concerns about the 14-storey tower block.

Mr Reed wrote: “Many of my constituents have concerns over the bulk and massing of the proposed development, specifically the proposed four towers that they see as out of proportion with other buildings in the local area.

“Residents have concerns relating to direct overlooking and overshadowing given the proposed height of the development. I ask if you could call in the application.”

The local council approved the flats, but under the Mayor of London’s powers, he could have overturned the decision. In the end, Mr Khan did not intervene, and the developers retained full planning permission.

Yet another blatant example of Labour’s housing hypocrisy

The Conservatives accused Mr Reed of “blatant hypocrisy” and slammed his actions.

Sir James Cleverly, shadow housing secretary, told The Telegraph: “This is yet another blatant example of Labour’s housing hypocrisy.

“Angela Rayner presided over rising council tax for millions while dodging stamp duty on her home. Now her replacement has the gall to promise to ‘build, build, build’ having tried to block building in his own constituency.”

However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government defended Mr Reed.

A spokesperson told The Telegraph: “We inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory. The housing secretary has already been clear his mantra is ‘build, baby, build’, so families have access to an affordable home.

“Local say is critical but this is about how, not whether, new homes are built.”