Milford Towers Lewisham estate where 'crackheads squat in homes'

Lewisham Council started moving people out of flats in Milford Towers in 2012 in preparation for its demolition.

But over 10 years later the estate, which is built above a car park and Tesco supermarket in Catford, is still standing. 

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Those still living Milford Towers say it is neglected with electronic doors left broken for months.

Milford Towers is built above Catford Centre (Image: Robert Firth)

They say the estate has become a haven for drug addicts who squat in empty homes and shoot up in stairwells. 

They are also fed up with fly tipping, broken lifts and rubbish left strewn across the estate.

Despite this many residents of Milford Towers, which is a five minute stroll from Lewisham Council’s head offices, say they like living there and would choose to stay if it was fixed up.

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John Lestrange, 41, who has lived on the estate for over 10 years, said: “I like living here. It’s solid and the foundations are solid.

Residents of Milford Towers complained about broken lifts and fly tipping

"But the repairs have built up over five decades. There’s leaks everywhere and security issues.

"People are too scared to go in the communal areas and there does not seem to be any funding for the communal garden areas. 

“They [the council] have fitted the whole building with new windows so they can’t still be thinking of knocking it down.

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"It would be a nightmare for them if they knocked it down. There would be so much opposition.

"It’s one of the last bastions of social housing.”

Another resident of 10 years, who gave her name only as Nikki, said the estate had become a hot spot for local junkies.

The 42-year-old said: “This has become the junkie place.

Abandoned shopping trollies on the Milford Towers estate (Image: Robert Firth)

"Anyone comes in because of the broken door lock. They poo on the stairs and they leave their dirty drug stuff there.

“They find empty houses here and squat in them and the council leave them in for a few weeks without doing anything.

"It’s not nice for children. We need cameras on the stairwells at least.”

Most of the remaining residents in Milford Towers are living in temporary housing rented off the council by housing association Notting Hill Genesis and let out to tenants.

In recent years Lewisham has splurged millions of pounds refurbishing the estate, making some residents doubt whether officials are serious about bulldozing it.

In 2021 it was revealed the council had spent £1.7 million on repairing concrete on the estate, which is managed by the council’s fully-owned housing company Lewisham Homes. 

Last year Lewisham Council agreed to replace bathrooms and kitchens in 17 flats and carry out repairs to communal areas, following a campaign by residents who were members of London Renters Union.

The council told MyLondon at the time that it was investing £2.5 million in the estate, including re-roofing all blocks, replacing all windows and redecorating stairwells.

But residents the Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to on Tuesday (February 14) said there were more issues that needed dealing with.

Many didn’t want to give their name out of fear council officials would make things difficult for them if they spoke out. 

One resident of six years, who declined to give his name for fear of repercussions, said: “The lifts have been broken for a month and it happens all the time. I’ve been complaining about it for over a year and it has never been sorted properly. 

“Some people have got kids and imagine coming from downstairs and having to hold your baby up the stairs to your flat on the fifth floor. It’s mad. I come from Brazil and it’s a real struggle there, but also it’s a struggle here.” 

Alassane Bathily, 44, who has lived in Milford Towers for five years, added: “The lifts are always broken and rubbish is left around.

"Sometimes the junkie people come in and break a door and sit on the stairs. I can’t blame them, but it’s not the situation you want.” 

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We have carried out extensive repair and maintenance works across Milford Towers, with a significant portion of these works already complete.

“The stairwells and communal areas are being cleaned and redecorated and new lifts are being installed, helping to reduce maintenance issues.

"The main entrance doors on the estate are also due to be upgraded this year, helping to address security issues and instances of anti-social behaviour.

“In addition to these works, all roofs have been renewed across the estate, reducing drainage and leakage issues; new double-glazed windows have been installed for the vast majority of properties; and new kitchens and bathrooms have been installed where needed.

“We will continue to work closely with residents to address issues on the estate.”