The regeneration of a South Acton estate hit a new milestone last week.
Ealing Council leader Peter Mason broke the first ground on the site at Acton Gardens during a special ceremony on Wednesday 4 December. During this new phase of the work at the estate, 215 more homes are set to be built, including 67 genuinely affordable homes to let to local people on lower incomes.
The regeneration of the estate is one of the largest projects of this kind in the borough. Work started on the 20-year masterplan first began in 2012.
Once completed, it will host almost 3,500 new homes, with approximately 40% to be let at genuinely affordable rents to people on the council’s housing waiting list.
Councillor Mason said: “This is another step on the path to delivering more desperately needed, genuinely affordable homes-to-let at Acton Gardens. With our partners, we are breathing new life into the South Acton area.
“By also adding to vibrant new shared spaces like the Bollo Brook Youth Centre, a new community centre, and new retail units, the transformative regeneration of the South Acton estate is creating a better connected, more inclusive neighbourhood where people can access work and essential services on their doorsteps.”
Thousands of new affordable homes
As well as the genuinely affordable homes to let, this new phase of development will also include 24 flats for shared ownership –12 a scheme to help people get on the property ladder by buying a share of a home. A further 116 homes will be sold on the open market. With construction now under way, the first new homes are expected to be completed in late 2025.
All former secure tenants of the old estate have been given the option to move into one of the new homes.
‘Making a difference’
The council is working closely on the regeneration of the estate with Vistry Group, through its Countryside Partnerships brand, and L&Q. This phase has been designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects.
Daniel King, managing director of Vistry West London, said: “This is a significant moment that we are proud to mark with our partners at L&Q and Ealing Council.
Through the delivery of the 1,000th affordable home, these phases demonstrate how our 50% affordable housing commitment is making a difference, with energy-efficient, high-quality new homes helping to address the urgent housing need in Ealing.
Jaqueline Esimaje-Heath, growth director at L&Q added: “We are delighted to mark this huge milestone together with our partners. At L&Q our mission is to deliver homes and neighbourhoods that everyone can be proud of – and not only are we proud of the work we’ve been doing for the past 10 years, but we are very excited about these future phases.”
“Delivering the 1000th affordable home, as well as the significant number of social housing already built on site, reaffirms our commitment to tackling the housing crisis.”
