Abu Hamza family home in Shepherd's Bush gets £70,000 taxpayer renovation

A five-bedroom council house in Shepherd's Bush, west London, identified as the family home of convicted terrorist Abu Hamza, is set to receive a £70,000 renovation funded by taxpayers. The property, located in a conservation area, will undergo upgrades including the installation of solar panels and loft insulation. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has a legal obligation to maintain the Edwardian house.

Tenancy and Council Obligations

Najat Chaffe, Abu Hamza's wife, holds a 'tenancy for life' at the property. This arrangement means Hammersmith and Fulham Council cannot evict her and must continue to maintain the house. Ms Chaffe has resided at the address since 1995, and Abu Hamza's eight children were raised there. Abu Hamza himself, who is serving a life sentence without parole in a US jail, never officially lived at the address but was seen there before his arrest in 2004.

The council stated that it is legally required to upgrade around 1,000 properties. Planning permission for the renovation works has been submitted and is awaiting approval. The renovations are expected to be completed before the end of the decade.

Criticism of Expenditure

The expenditure has drawn criticism from the Conservative opposition. Jose Afonso, leader of the opposition on Hammersmith and Fulham Council, described the renovation as a 'disgusting waste of public money'. He stated that residents would be appalled by the use of public funds for extensive upgrades to properties housing the families of terrorists.