I was interested in the picture of the garages "returning to nature" on post 35 of the thread as I lived in the related block of flats up until 5 years ago. I recall that the block never knew what to do with the garages - too small for cars, too expensive to repair or demolish. Judging by the pic, no use now for lock-ups, though could become a nature reserve. I suspect other blocks of flats built in the 70s have problems re external garages.
Where I live now Honor Oak - they have replaced the old garages / "stables" behind HOP into houses (Sienna Place etc); nice looking houses BTW though for 3 bed houses, the titchiest garden (not much bigger than one of the garages in Michael's photo