Thanks to Westminster’s Labour-run council, all 112 homes in the newly opened 300 Harrow Road development are now truly affordable.
Under the original Tory plans, half of the project was going to be sold off as luxury private flats, denying local families the opportunity of a home in their borough.
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.
Last year the new Labour council changed the scheme to a mix of 77 council homes for social rent and 35 London Living Rent intermediate homes targeted at key workers. All one-bedroom homes, including the studios, are set at intermediate rent and the homes with two or three 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 Wilmott 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:
“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.”