Westminster residents ready to move into more than 100 affordable new homes

Residents will soon be moving into the new 300 Harrow Road development, a 100 per cent truly affordable housing scheme which has completed in Westminster.   

It’s the first major development completed under Westminster City Council’s Fairer Westminster strategy, which sets out the local authority’s commitment to increase the number and quality of affordable housing available.   

 Half of the 112 homes were previously earmarked for market sale, but last year the council changed the scheme to a mix of council homes for social rent and affordable intermediate rent. All one-bedroom homes, including the studios, are set at intermediate rent and the homes with at least two bedrooms are council homes for social rent, helping to meet the need for family-sized homes in Westminster.   

 The 300 Harrow Road development is also the first in the country to provide the highest airflow rates for any heating and cooling system of its type. This keeps homes at the desired temperature all year round and at a low cost. 

 Residents will benefit from the use of air source heat pumps, solar panels, rainwater collection and living roofs, resulting in lower energy bills and a reduction in carbon emissions. The air source heat pumps, which provide heating and cooling to tenants, are 300 per cent more efficient than standard gas boilers. 

As well as the new homes, there are wider benefits for the community including a new enterprise space, community centre and an early years childcare facility. Plus, as part of the council’s social value commitment, the scheme has provided employment opportunities and skills initiatives with apprenticeships and work placements for local people, in partnership with construction company Willmott Dixon. 15 jobs for Westminster residents were created through the scheme and have been retained by the contractor. 

 Improvements to public green spaces will reconnect the Warwick Estate with the wider neighbourhood and open up access to the Grand Union canal.  

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

"The completion of 300 Harrow Road is a momentous step in creating truly affordable, energy-efficient, family-sized homes which are vital for our residents in Westminster. Previously only 17 homes here were going to be council homes for social rent, however we increased this to 77 new council homes for social rent and 35 for intermediate rent.  

"The investment in facilities for the local community will re-energise the area and provide benefits for local people for years to come.   

 "This is how we’re building a fairer city – understanding the needs of our community and creating secure, affordable homes to meet that need.”   

Mark Chamberlain, Project Director at Willmott Dixon, said:  

 “We are delighted to be handing over the fantastic, high-quality, and sustainable new homes at 300 Harrow Road. These homes and community facilities will make a positive difference to the residents of Westminster.  

 Making a positive impact in the communities in which we work is incredibly important to us at Willmott Dixon, and we are proud to have provided employment opportunities, work placements and been involved with a number of community initiatives whilst we have been on site.”  

ENDS  

NOTES TO EDITORS   

• Households on the waiting list who live close to the new development have had the opportunity to bid to move into the new homes through a Local Lettings Plan.  

• The community centre building will also provide space for a housing hub facility providing better access for local residents to our housing services.  

• The nursery space will provide space for 60 local children across the Early Years Foundation Stage age groups with a new secure playground.   

• One of the first developments in the country to provide highest airflow rates for any heating and cooling system of its type through an ambient loop system air source heatpump  

• London Living Rent provides high quality rented homes on stable tenancies, with rents based on a third of local household incomes. 

Read about the Council’s new regeneration pipeline.