Darwin House
About the project
On 8 June 2021, we were granted permission to build new homes on the site of the former Balmoral Castle Pub and current Darwin House. The project will provide the Churchill Gardens estate with much-needed affordable housing and new community supported homes, which will be twice the size of the current Darwin House community supported home bedsits.
The project will deliver:
- 44 new homes in total
- 34 new community-supported homes in Block A, comprising 33 one-bedroom Community Supportive Housing (CSH) units that are twice the size of the current bedsits and 1 one-bedroom scheme manager's accommodation
- 10 new high-quality social rented homes in Block B, comprising 8 four-bedroom homes, 1 three-bedroom home and 1 one-bedroom home
- Landscaped green space for enjoyment of the Churchill Gardens community
Project status
In February 2025, we have completed the 34 new homes in Block A, providing modern, high-quality accommodation for current Darwin House residents. These homes are twice the size of the existing bedsits and feature energy-efficient, contemporary apartments.
The demolition of Darwin House is scheduled to start in spring 2025. Block B will deliver 10 new high-quality affordable social rent homes for Churchill Gardens, prioritised for local residents. Equipped with air source heat pumps, these homes will contribute to our goal of becoming a net zero city by 2030.
In total, the scheme will provide 44 much-needed affordable homes in south Westminster as part of our commitment to delivering a Fairer Westminster.
Get in touch
Please get in touch with our Regeneration team to learn more about the project by emailing balmoraldarwin@westminster.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can contact your Wates Resident Liaison Officer, Sinead, by phone 07999407318 or by email sinead.king@wates.co.uk
Newsletters
Background documents
View the booklet used in community consultation in 2020:
To view full details of the planning permission documentation, please visit the planning portal.
Construction Liaison Group
The Construction Liaison Group was established in 2021. The group was set-up in order to enable the team working on the project to provide updates on upcoming works, and for members of the community to discuss any issues, concerns or matters that may arise throughout the redevelopment. The group is made up of Darwin House residents, neighbouring residents from Churchill Gardens and representatives from Wates and the council.
You can find a summary of discussion from the most recent meetings below:
Site address
Grosvenor Road, London, SW1V 3LH
