100 new council homes for Westminster as first phase of Ebury Bridge regeneration completes

Landmark estate will deliver the highest number of new council homes in South Westminster for decades.

• The first phase of Westminster City Council’s flagship Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme has completed.
• A total of 226 new homes have been built, consisting of: 16 returning leasehold homes, 110 for market sale and 100 high quality council homes – making this the largest delivery of new council homes in South Westminster for 50 years.
• Westminster City Council has committed to bringing about new community-centred redevelopment in one of the UK’s most exclusive postcodes.
• 90 families will be moving into their new homes at Ebury Bridge over the coming weeks.
• Completion of this phase is a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to a Fairer Westminster with all existing residents having the right to return.
• In total, the Ebury Bridge project will deliver 781 high quality and sustainable homes across three phases, with more than half set to be new or replacement council homes for social rent.
• With a keen focus on sustainability, the scheme is rated BREEAM Outstanding.

Located in Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Ebury Bridge is one of Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration projects rejuvenating an existing 1930s estate and transforming it into a sustainable modern neighbourhood.

With phase one completion to be achieved this month and 100 new council homes for social rent completed, Ebury Bridge has delivered the largest number of new council homes for five decades – in one of the most exclusive postcodes in the City.

The scheme has already been recognised as a leading example of modern, sustainable, council housebuilding, receiving top prize at the Planning Awards 2023 and the Best Community Engagement Outcomes and the Mayor’s Prize for Good Growth at the Building London Planning awards.

Over the coming weeks, officers from Westminster City Council will support more than 90 families to return to their new homes on the estate, after they moved temporarily to allow the building work to take place.

This will be the culmination of a long journey for some who have waited over five years to move back. The remaining families and individuals have chosen to move back to a later phase in buildings that will be in similar positions to their previous homes.

As the main developer behind the scheme, Westminster City Council aimed to set a new standard for mixed tenure neighbourhoods with a single estate management service across all buildings.

Councillor Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council, said:

“This is the start of a new chapter for Ebury Bridge. The completion of the first phase of this scheme, which sees over 200 homes built, half of which are new council homes, showcases our commitment to building more truly affordable homes that are high-quality and fit for purpose in our community and demonstrates that we’re delivering on our Fairer Housing commitments for the residents of Westminster.

The completion of the first phase of Ebury is culmination of our efforts to achieve a Fairer Westminster. This phase not only sees the first residents move back into their new homes, but it will see new community facilities, play spaces and improved living standards.

I’m delighted for our residents who have waited for their new homes to be ready. The mixture of the original community and the new families and individuals moving to the neighbourhood will make Ebury a thriving, vibrant place that people want to visit. We’re proud of what has been achieved at Ebury and it sets a high bar for regeneration schemes across the country.”

Recognised for high levels of energy efficiency and recognised as BREEAM Outstanding, all homes will be heated and cooled by a ground source heat pump, using warm water from 100 metres underground. Low carbon heating and cooling systems, greywater recycling and blue roofs will support high performing homes in a low carbon neighbourhood.

Phase two will commence in 2025 and deliver 334 homes. Across the whole regeneration scheme, a total of 781 high quality and sustainable homes will be built, with 370 of these set to be new or replacement council homes for social rent.

Ebury Bridge will provide facilities and spaces supporting the health and wellbeing of residents, including a new community hub, nursery, play facilities, fitness centre, and four attractive public squares and pocket parks.

In addition to this, approval has also been granted for an extended high street comprising new local shops and cafés.

The project fulfils a key pledge in the Fairer Westminster strategy, which commits to maximising the number and quality of affordable homes and ensuring the housing needs of everyone in the city are met. This comes at a time when central London faces an acute need for a range of new housing of all tenure types.

About Westminster City Council Regeneration, Economy and Planning

• Westminster has committed to at least 50% affordable housing across its development projects, made up of social rent and London Living Rent.
• In 2023, the City Council completed 263 homes, of which 214 were affordable.
• And in 2024 the City Council is forecast to deliver over 300 homes, of which more than 200 will be affordable.
• Westminster City Council handles 12,000 planning applications every year – more than anywhere else in the UK – plus more than 50,000 enterprises across a huge array of industries.
• Westminster City Council faces unique challenges in undertaking regeneration and building new council houses for social rent in a densely populated area that is also one of the most visited places on the planet. By working collectively and with communities, we're finding innovative and collaborative solutions.
• Collaboration with the Greater London Authority has been key to the success of the council’s programme with the Mayor funding £147.2m towards affordable homes
• Resident ballots at the council’s major regeneration schemes at Church Street and Ebury Bridge has unlocked over £70m in additional funding from the GLA which has enabled delivery of higher levels of truly affordable housing.
• We want to share our experiences to help spearhead a wider council housebuilding movement, demonstrating that councils can build and build well.