Ex council officer cons residents
Ivan Agenda & Mellenium Leia | 22.01.2003 18:13
Local traders face being priced out of buying their shops after former Hackney Council officer ruined chances of local traders to buy their shops while aiding a developer to acquire properties at knock-down sums.
East London traders in what was described as an up and coming area known as Broadway Market had priority to purchase freeholds at reasonable prices under Hackney Council¹s regeneration scheme until June 2000. But cash-crisis hit Hackney Council has since forced beleaguered local traders to enter into a gazumping war.
Yet commercial developer Stirling Properties and Investments Ltd (SPI) acquired nine properties in a package deal under the guise of revitalising local trade but are also now in the process of converting them into five luxury flats.
A third public auction organised by Hackney council agents Nelson Bakewell on February 6th will seal the fate of local traders. Several are in despair after being misled by a former council officer Marilyn Stedman who previously worked in the strategic policy and regeneration department of Hackney Council. Stedman officially became involved in the scheme after producing a report about regeneration plans for the Broadway Market area.
Stedman pushed her way into becoming project officer of Broadway Residents and Traders Association and accused former founders known as A & B of being intimidating. Stedman¹s involvement allowed her to befriend local commercial and residential tenants. Stedman then attempted to evict A & B who actively worked on behalf of the community and lived locally.
But Stedman¹s passion for commercial developers Stirling Properties included helping to buy one property for as little as £21,000 from cash-strapped Hackney Council. Stedman even organised a petition canvassing support from local residents and traders in support of the application. Stirling¹s directors are based in Moscow and Australia and a clause allows the company to sell properties to unknown third parties.
Stedman offered semi-literate café 22-year leaseholder Calagero Platia help to acquire his popular Italian cafe Francesca¹s which has been a local meeting place for 22-years but soon began to scupper his chances.
This included misinforming the council by claiming that Mr Platia was unable to afford the asking price of £72,500 and actively encouraging the council to withdraw the sale of his property ostensibly in his interests.
Mr Platia said: "I¹ve seen people die here. I¹ve seen people grow up. I¹ve seen everything. I trusted Marilyn and now they are going to take it all away".
Stedman remained head of the project until April 2001 but has continued to work on behalf of residents. Two letters show how Ms Stedman wrongly encouraged Mr Platia to put in low offers resulting in their rejection.
Stedman¹s involvement included liasing with the council, introduced financial agents, a solicitor and even compiled a complaint to the ombudsman on Platia¹s behalf.
Newsagent Peter Kataria of Broadway Market who attended a legal meeting with Ms Stedman and has also experienced difficulties in purchasing his property. He said: "Marilyn did not let me see the paperwork she gave it straight to the solicitor."
Yet commercial developer Stirling Properties and Investments Ltd (SPI) acquired nine properties in a package deal under the guise of revitalising local trade but are also now in the process of converting them into five luxury flats.
A third public auction organised by Hackney council agents Nelson Bakewell on February 6th will seal the fate of local traders. Several are in despair after being misled by a former council officer Marilyn Stedman who previously worked in the strategic policy and regeneration department of Hackney Council. Stedman officially became involved in the scheme after producing a report about regeneration plans for the Broadway Market area.
Stedman pushed her way into becoming project officer of Broadway Residents and Traders Association and accused former founders known as A & B of being intimidating. Stedman¹s involvement allowed her to befriend local commercial and residential tenants. Stedman then attempted to evict A & B who actively worked on behalf of the community and lived locally.
But Stedman¹s passion for commercial developers Stirling Properties included helping to buy one property for as little as £21,000 from cash-strapped Hackney Council. Stedman even organised a petition canvassing support from local residents and traders in support of the application. Stirling¹s directors are based in Moscow and Australia and a clause allows the company to sell properties to unknown third parties.
Stedman offered semi-literate café 22-year leaseholder Calagero Platia help to acquire his popular Italian cafe Francesca¹s which has been a local meeting place for 22-years but soon began to scupper his chances.
This included misinforming the council by claiming that Mr Platia was unable to afford the asking price of £72,500 and actively encouraging the council to withdraw the sale of his property ostensibly in his interests.
Mr Platia said: "I¹ve seen people die here. I¹ve seen people grow up. I¹ve seen everything. I trusted Marilyn and now they are going to take it all away".
Stedman remained head of the project until April 2001 but has continued to work on behalf of residents. Two letters show how Ms Stedman wrongly encouraged Mr Platia to put in low offers resulting in their rejection.
Stedman¹s involvement included liasing with the council, introduced financial agents, a solicitor and even compiled a complaint to the ombudsman on Platia¹s behalf.
Newsagent Peter Kataria of Broadway Market who attended a legal meeting with Ms Stedman and has also experienced difficulties in purchasing his property. He said: "Marilyn did not let me see the paperwork she gave it straight to the solicitor."
Ivan Agenda & Mellenium Leia