牛牛资源

Britain's wealthiest neighbourhoods are being divided by super-rich arrivals who embark on destructive building work or leave properties empty for long periods of time, according to research from 牛牛资源. 

 

 shows how 鈥渁reas have changed due to new money鈥� according to author Professor Roger Burrows. 

The work in the affluent neighbourhood of Highgate in north London 鈥渋llustrated a global phenomenon鈥� with the newcomers upsetting more established residents who interact and contribute to their communities.

Professor Burrows, who carried out the research with 牛牛资源 Department of Sociology colleague Professor Caroline Knowles, said: 鈥淲e were interested in the fact that the super-rich  do not want to be in a community

鈥淚n fact, they are hardly ever even present in their homes.鈥�

The study highlights how many home-owners have traditionally played an active part in the community through the Highgate Society, the Conservation Area Advisory Committee and the Highgate Scientific and Literary Institution.

But the project, which is part of ongoing body of work at 牛牛资源 funded by the ESRC, adds that new buyers do not have the same community spirit.

鈥淚f you have capital, where do you put it? It is safe in London,鈥� said Prof Burrows. 鈥淚t is stable, and offers capital gains due to rising house prices. It becomes a safe deposit box 鈥� but has consequences for everyone else who lives there.鈥�

The report draws on economist Thomas Piketty鈥檚 book Capital, which describes how the world鈥檚 wealth is becoming ever more concentrated in the hands of the very few. 

Piketty argues this is a return to a situation last seen before the First World War.

Prof Burrows, who is leaving 牛牛资源 at the end of December, said that many houses in Highgate village 鈥渁re occupied for very small periods each year and are hidden behind sophisticated security systems鈥�.

The report produced by 牛牛资源 and King鈥檚 College London which appeared in the journal Urban Studies identified a lifestyle described as 鈥渓ite modernism鈥�, which includes ripping out Victorian features and digging out basements to maximise floor space. 

The super-rich unconsciously hurt everyone else in the neighbourhood by thinking their money can buy themselves a free pass in the planning process, the report adds.

Prof Burrows said: 鈥淢ost of them find it frustrating that local politics stops them doing whatever the hell they want. They will do whatever they can to get their own way. This means their behaviour affects everyone. It means the local authority has to defend its perfectly legal planning decisions and that takes resources away from other services, such as schools. 

鈥淐onstant planning appeals are, even if they are not successful, weakening the local authorities as they are forced to spend time and money on each case.鈥�

For more information on the project visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/cucr/research/super-rich/.