CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish an architecturally feted housing estate in Chalk Farm and replace it with tower blocks have been narrowly given the go-ahead by tenants.

People living on the Juniper Crescent estate, owned by One Housing, voted in favour of plans which will see their homes demolished and a new estate built. Work is due to start in 2025.

Opponents of the scheme say One Housing – which has merged with developer Riverside – is looking to maximise income and has been prompted to pursue the project because of a £1billion development next door on the site of a Morrisons supermarket.

Tenants say they were not given a full range of options, that One Housing ran a divisive public relations campaign to win votes, and questions remain over secure tenancies.

One tenant, who did not want to be named, said: “They are painting this like some kind of big victory, but it was just over 50 per cent who voted yes and on a tiny turnout.”

A Riverside spokesman said: “The vote in favour means that we will be engaging further with residents about the detailed designs as well as including important aspects such as community and play spaces, and landscaping to help further shape our planning application.

“From January, we will talk to households about their housing needs to help understand how we can best support residents, particularly if they need to move away from Juniper Crescent temporarily while new homes are built.”