Foxtons pulls out of sale 'after appeal by local community'

Foxtons has removed its listing for the sale of a property on an estate in Walthamstow after concerns expressed by nearby residents. 

The Butterfields estate was operated by a housing association before a controversial buy out last year by a private operator called Butterfields E17, which proposes to sell the homes to private buyers.

A Foxtons spokesman is quoted in the local Guardian series of newspapers online as saying: “Having learnt of the residents’ concern, we have decided to withdraw our services on this occasion. Looking after the communities we operate in is an integral part of our company ethos.

“Since opening our office in Walthamstow last year, we have built a dedicated, hard-working team of eight people, most of whom were recruited and live locally. We look forward to continuing to create a positive impact within the local community.”

The Guardian series says Butterfields E17 served eviction notices on some of the 63 tenants, “many of whom live on low incomes or benefits.”

Some of the properties were then reportedly listed on the Savills auction list, and went on to sell for more than £300,000 each.

Talks to sell some of the remaining homes to a charity specialising in affordable homes have reportedly stalled, and some evictions are now the subject of legal disputes.

Campaigners from the Butterfields Won’t Budge group canvassed estate agents in Walthamstow earlier this month and asked them to assist in retaining the existing community.