Westmead affordable housing scheme reaches highest point in construction

Westminster City Council celebrated the construction of the new affordable Westmead housing project reaching its highest point, traditionally known as ‘Topping Out’.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Adam Hug, laid the last piece of concrete at the highest point of the build, located in Westbourne Ward within the North Paddington Programme area, a key regeneration project for the Council.

Now ‘Topping Out’ has been completed, work on the new building is in the final stages and working with construction contractor Willmott Dixon, the first new residents are set to move in at the start of 2026.

When completed, Westmead will deliver 65 truly affordable homes and will include 34 family-sized council homes for social rent and a further 31 homes for keyworkers, as part of the Council’s new Fairer Westminster delivery plan, which launched in March 2025.

In addition to the new homes, the scheme will see new accessible landscaped gardens and trees planted. The mature trees in close vicinity of the new building have also been protected throughout the build.

Residents on the housing waiting list in the local area will also be able to bid for the new homes first 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.

The new homes are being delivered on the previous site of a residential care home that would have required significant intervention to bring the accommodation up to modern day standards. The former residents of the care home were supported through their relocation to the nearby, newly purpose-built Beachcroft House which the Council completed in summer 2020. 

Cllr Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council who was also at the Topping Out ceremony said:

“It was great to be at the highest point of the new Westmead build and help lay the final piece of concrete on site. Hitting this Topping Out milestone shows our commitment to building a Fairer Westminster, by giving our residents affordable, safe and fit-for-purpose places to call home.”

• Westmead | Westminster City Council
• Working with construction contractor Willmott Dixon 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 4,000 strong waiting list for homes in Westminster.
• Under the new ‘Fairer Westminster’ strategy, the Council has committed to providing at least 50% affordable housing across its 4,000-home development pipeline. 
• Willmott Dixon is undertaking a series of projects across Westminster including the refurbishment of Seymour Leisure Centre and three affordable housing schemes in the North of the borough.
• The Beachcroft House development combines 31 new apartments for local buyers and an 84-bed nursing home on the same site, with private bathrooms for residents and updated facilities such as a dementia-supportive garden.