Barnet Council has threatened to report a registered social landlord to the Housing Corporation, alleging that it refused to accept losing a competition to regenerate an estate.
Newlon Housing Association lost the competition to replace the 600-home Dollis Valley estate with 1200 homes, despite winning a tenants' ballot (HT 14 November, page 13).

Since then, Newlon has been in touch with residents on the estate, asking them to lobby the council to get the decision overturned, according to the council.

Warden Housing Association was awarded the job after a three-stage process, involving the ballot result, a financial viability test and an interview in front of a panel of tenants and council representatives.

The council said Newlon came bottom out of the three bidders in terms of financial viability.

Brian Salinger, lead member for housing at Barnet council, said: "We had to make it [clear] to Newlon that we would register a formal complaint with the corporation if they persisted in their activities."

Newlon chief executive Mike Hind denied that he had received a warning from the council.

He said: "They are more than welcome to make any complaint they like to the Housing Corporation. We have only ever responded to residents who have contacted us with concerns, and we will continue to do so."

Source

Housing Today