Residents move into new Darwin House development at Churchill Gardens

Local residents have begun moving into the new Darwin House development this month.

The new 100% affordable housing scheme, which sits within the Churchill Gardens Conservation Area, is being delivered in two phases. The completion of the first of two new buildings delivers 33 new community-supported accommodation properties for social rent for people who are over 60, along with one scheme manager unit.

Currently, there are 20 older residents in the neighbouring ‘old’ Darwin House who will be rehoused into the new purpose-built homes. The self-contained one-bedroom apartments – which are twice the size of their current accommodation – have communal facilities, offer social activities, and have guest rooms for visitors. There will be landscaped leafy green spaces for the new residents and the wider Churchill Gardens community to enjoy.

The remaining 13 homes will be offered to people living locally, aged over 60 through the Council’s Local Lettings Plan, which allows people living locally to bid for the new properties first. This frees up existing, often larger homes for families on the waiting list.

Residents moving into the new Darwin House development will also receive bespoke, tailored support from the council, which includes packing services for those who require it, assistance with reconnection of services and support with ordering new furniture. This is in recognition that some residents may need support to arrange these tasks online.

Once all residents move into the new Darwin House (as it was named by its first new residents) and the original site becomes vacant, the construction of second new block will begin. A further 10 council homes for social rent will then be built on the current Darwin House location.  These social rent home will include eight 4-bedroom homes, one 3-bedroom homes and one 1-bedroom homes, providing much needed family sized accommodation.

Working with housebuilding contractor Wates Residential to complete the works, there will be a total of 44 homes delivered on site, increasing the number of homes for residents to 21 units, providing affordable, fit-for-purpose housing in the city.

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

“The completion of the new homes marks a significant milestone for our residents from the ‘old’ Darwin House who have been eagerly anticipating moving in to their new fit-for-purpose homes. With the support from our specialist officers, they have all selected flats with suitable aids and adaptations to meet their needs.

“The delivery of these new council homes for social rent – and the rest to come with construction starting on the second new building – demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver high quality, truly affordable homes and a Fairer Westminster for all local people.”

• Darwin House | Westminster City Council
• These new homes are designed in accordance with the Housing our Aging Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) standards, ensuring a modern and supportive living environment for our community.
• Working with housebuilding contractor Wates Residential to complete the works, the new homes will be offered to local people first through the Council’s Local Lettings Plan, which allows people living locally in overcrowded or unsuitable homes to bid for the new properties before they go towards tackling the 4000 strong waiting list for homes in Westminster.
• Under the ‘Fairer Westminster’ strategy, the Council has committed to providing at least 50% affordable housing across its 4,000-home development pipeline.