Westminster Council to provide more homes for middle-income families

Six in every 10 new affordable homes built in Westminster are to be for middle-income families, the local authority has announced.

The central London borough has revealed it plans to build 1,495 new homes every year, nearly 50% per cent higher than required under the Mayor of London’s ‘London Plan’.

According to the local authority, this reflects the council’s commitment to deliver the most ambitious house building programme and the homes its residents need.

Currently, the majority of homes in Westminster are out of reach for average earners with just 1.5 per cent of homes classed as ‘intermediate’ – at least below 20 per cent below market rent.

‘We’re proud that one in four of our homes are social housing, but as a city for all we’re determined to create homes for our residents, especially average earners and middle-income families,’ said Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for planning and public realm, Cllr Richard Beddoe.

‘We’ve laid down the gauntlet for developers by introducing less restrictive rules. Now they need to do their bit and provide the homes for the working families who keep our city moving. Providing social housing remains a priority but the lack of intermediate homes must be addressed.’

The revised housing target of building 1,495 new homes every year matches that set by Government under the standard methodology set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF).

The council has also confirmed its intention to make sure 35 per cent of these new homes are affordable to a range of incomes.

Developers will also be urged to be more imaginative in creating high-quality affordable home, by looking at modern methods of construction such as modular homes where suitable.

The council is now consulting on its draft City Plan which sets out a blueprint for how Westminster will enter the next few decades in a strong and competitive position.

The newly published plan focuses on three key themes, creating more affordable homes, the right environment for business growth and more open, green spaces to enjoy.