Council launches its own development vehicle

Westminster Builds, the new development company wholly owned by Westminster City Council, has now launched.

It will deliver new homes across all tenures as well as community-led regeneration in Westminster and across the rest of London.

The company is already involved in the delivery of the regeneration of Ebury Bridge Estate, a new development at Carrick Yard in Lisson Grove and is now actively following up opportunities to work outside the borough.

The Managing Director of the new company is Barbara Brownlee, formerly Executive Director of Growth Planning and Housing at Westminster City Council (WCC).

Barbara brings more than 30 years of experience in housing and regeneration to the role and was a driving force in the council’s £1bn regeneration programme.

She said: “We have an ambitious programme to deliver almost 2,000 homes in the next five years and we are determined they will be sustainable and high quality. This is why we are investing in innovative and environmentally sustainable design and construction, and in training and skills, both in the sector and in the local community. We have set high standards in the work we do, and aim to be a partner of choice and a great place to work.”

WCC made the decision to launch its own development company to provide  affordable, high quality homes for people who live and work in the city and to ensure the council could retain overall control of  its assets.

Cllr Rachael Robathan, Leader of Westminster City Council said: “We are delighted to see Westminster Builds up and running with a significant number of developments underway and more in the pipeline. This will be of huge benefit to our residents by enabling us to build more affordable housing.”

Editor’s notes

The Director’s of the Company are James Green, Director of Development and Stephen Muldoon, Director of Finance. James is also Director of Development for WCC while Stephen is the council’s Assistant City Treasurer. The Chair of the company is Cllr Jacqui Wilkinson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration