342 ‘affordable’ homes approved for Westminster

Westminster City Council has approved a redevelopment of the Ebury Bridge estate, which will see 342 ‘affordable’ homes rebuilt or newly built as part of the scheme.

In total there will be 750 new homes built which the council says will more than double the number of homes on the estate.

However, this figure includes demolishing 198 social rented homes with new ‘high quality’ social rented homes, as well as an additional 144 ‘affordable,’ family-sized homes.

The council say that the decision to approve plans on Monday, makes the Pimlico estate home to the ‘largest single delivery of new council homes in the heart of London for over half a century.’

The estate has been earmarked for redevelopment since 2010 but has been hit with several delays and false starts, with the Labour Party saying over £35m has been spent buying back council homes that had been sold under Right To Buy, only for them to be left empty and boarded up.

Following the decision on Monday, a residents group protested outside council headquarters in opposition to the proposed demolition.

Cllr Nickie Aiken, leader of Westminster City Council, said: ‘We have been clear that providing high quality, genuinely affordable housing across the city is our top priority and have committed to building 1,850 new affordable homes by 2023. The Ebury Bridge estate project is a huge step in the right direction proving that we can and will build affordable homes in Westminster.

‘It’s vital that we create and preserve our mixed neighbourhoods so I am delighted that many of the new affordable homes on this estate will be at intermediate rent available to those on moderate incomes, the nurses, teachers, firefighters and others who keep Westminster running smoothly.’

Cllr Rachael Robathan, Westminster City Council cabinet member for finance, property and regeneration added: ‘The Ebury Bridge estate will remain a council housing estate. We wanted to get this right, which is why we spent months listening and talking to the community, knocking on doors to find out what people wanted. I want to thank our Ebury Bridge residents —over 80% of you—who participated in an extensive and transparent consultation process.

‘A right of return is guaranteed for all secure council tenants and lease holders. By putting our residents at the heart of shaping the renewal proposals, we are confident that we will build sustainable homes that are not just for life, but for living.’

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