Lorraine Pearmain (pictured with Lou) is threatening court action over a compulsory purchase order made out to buy her home
A homeowner forced out of her bungalow to make way for modern flats claims the council that bought it only coughed up about half of what it's worth.
Lorraine Pearmain is threatening to take Lewisham Council is south-east London to court after she was handed a compulsory purchase order.
The 62-year-old lived in her two-bedroom bungalow with 64-year-old partner Lou for more than 30 years before she was forced out last summer.
She was one of the Excalibur Estate residents who bought a 1940s build through the 1990s Rent to Buy scheme.
The authority told 186 people that the estate in Catford was going to be demolished to make way for a new housing development. They were given two options - move into a new build, or sell their home.
Ms Pearson refused to accept a 'rabbit hutch' new-build and said the council agreed to buy hers for £235,000 - despite an independent valuer pricing it at £400,000.
The new homes went on sale last January and cost between £320,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £385,000 for a two-bedroom house.
'My aunt was one of the first to move onto the estate so we have roots going back for years,' she said. 'It was a really lovely place, we couldn't have asked for anything more.'
The couple's former home (pictured after they moved out) was demolished to make way for the estate
Nine years ago she and Lou were told their home could be demolished to make way for the development.
Lewisham Council put the plan to a vote in 2010 and despite strong opposition, 56 per cent of estate residents gave the development the go ahead. But Lorraine said the home she was offered was like a rabbit hutch.
'We looked around a tiny house, it was like a rabbit hutch,' she said. 'We have a gardening business and had fig and banana trees - this place barely had anywhere to plant. I wouldn't be able to fit my table and chairs in the kitchen, there was no dishwasher.
The estate's residents had to make way for this property development, but Ms Pearmain was left angry by how much she was given for her home of more than 30 years
'I know we are privileged to live in London and have a house but it was
