URBAN DEVELOPMENT REFORM ORGANISATION

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ON MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY, UDRO will formally commence an investigation into Renewal Group, the offshore development firm responsible for the 'New Bermondsey' project. As covered in a separate Press Release, Lewisham Council gave outline permission for the construction of 16 skyscrapers in what will be one of the densest housing projects in London's history. UDRO was successful in ring-fencing protection for a former Spitfire factory threatened by the development, but failed to secure the interests of the area's longest creative presence, designer Terence Williams. UDRO is continuing to assist Mr Williams in efforts to protect him against any compulsory purchase order that may ensue following the granting of this outline permission. 

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The organisation behind the 'New Bermondsey' project, Renewal Group, have attracted allegations of improper and corrupt dealings for over a decade. These allegations have been investigated by national newspapers including The Guardian, and gave rise to an Independent Inquiry in 2017 led by Lord Dyson. UDRO believes that this Inquiry was unnecessarily constricted in two ways. First, the Inquiry did not look at any concrete public law implications of implications of proven facts, but merely at whether they were 'improper' in the moral sense of the word. Second, the Inquiry lacked two key witnesses who withdrew their consent to participate in the proceedings in suspicious circumstances. 

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Moreover, the 'New Bermondsey' project is classed as 'HIGH RISK' according to UDRO's corruption and malpractice risk factors. UDRO will draw on internal and external expertise in the conduct of this investigation and will release its findings by 18 April 2022. 

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Any person who believes they may hold information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to come forward at their earliest convenience. Their identity will be kept secret.