A community group has voted to form a neighbourhood forum to take control of its own estate.

The Greater Winstanley People’s Organisation (GWPO), formed in the wake of the riots, met in St Peter’s Church, Plough Road, Battersea on December 12.

More than 70 people showed up to the meeting, with members expressing fears parts of the neighbourhood were under threat of demolition

Earlier this year the council announced it would be spending millions to transform the Winstanley estate and York Road.

The area has also been granted a £1m big local grant from the national lottery funding project.

Michelle Braveboy, of Chesterton House, said: “Some may say we’re reckless to be throwing that word [demolition] around, but the fact is it is possible and we should not treat it as taboo or be scared to talk about it.

“We will keep fighting to give the GWPO a seat at the table so that the community can genuinely have a say in the redevelopment. We live by the mantra ‘nothing about us, without us’.”

The group unanimously voted to form a neighbourhood forum, which could give the GWPO control over planning in the area under the new Localism Act.

If granted permission from an independent assessor, the group would be able to shape neighbourhood plans and the council would have a legal duty to enforce them.

Neighbourhood Forums

• The Localism Act 2011 aims to give communities a say in the development of their area.
• Neighbours who form a neighbourhood forum will be able to choose where they wants new buildings, comment on what they should look like and grant permission for buildings they want to see go ahead.
• Before being given approval the group must decide how they want to work together
• They will have to shape a plan that conforms with
existing planning policy
• An independent examiner will check if it meets the basic standards, if it does not they will recommend changes
• The council will organise a referendum. The forum needs more than 50 per cent of votes to be given the green light.
• Once in force the council are legally obliged to consider their proposals for development in the neighbourhood.
• Groups must have a minimum of 21 members and be open to accept new members