100 new homes, a community space, and canal-side greenery for Harrow Road gets the planning go-ahead from Westminster City Council.
A mixed-use development of 112 new homes and essential community infrastructure by Westminster City Council at 300 Harrow Road has been awarded planning permission this week.
With 50% of the homes being affordable, for either social or intermediate rent, these one, two- and three-bedroom homes will suit a variety of households, giving a wide range of people the chance to live in the heart of London. The affordable homes will be let to people who live and work locally, helping to address the need for more social and intermediate housing in the area.
Alongside new homes, this mixed-use development will deliver over 1,400 square metres of community facilities including a new community hall, nursery, flexible workspace and canal-side café. The development will also improve the surrounding green space, activating the area and giving residents easy access to Regents Canal.
300 Harrow Road is designed by Child Graddon Lewis and will be delivered by Willmott Dixon Construction, the partners behind Westminster’s award-nominated Dudley House, a development of 197 affordable homes which launched in Paddington Basin last year.
The buildings will be constructed with the highest environmental standards in mind. The design team are working to provide comfortable, modern homes that are environmentally sustainable. Each home will have an air source heat pump, and residents will benefit from solar panels, rainwater collection, and living roofs, resulting in reduced carbon emissions and overall lower energy costs.
300 Harrow Road will be amongst the first delivered by Westminster Builds, the council’s wholly owned company established to help deliver the council’s ambitious regeneration and development programme. The affordable homes will be part-funded by the sale of the private homes at 300 Harrow Road, allowing the council to maximise the number of affordable homes for the community.
Cllr Melvyn Caplan, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration and Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, said “The planning approval for 300 Harrow Road is another important step towards us delivering 1,850 new affordable homes as part of our plan to make Westminster a City for All, where people from all economic backgrounds can live, work and thrive in our city.
“Set against the backdrop of place shaping work in the wider Harrow Road neighbourhood, 300 Harrow Road is an investment in our community. By delivering this new development, we are connecting our residents with the vibrancy and opportunity Westminster has to offer.”
James Felstead, Director at Child Graddon Lewis, said: “Harrow Road is a fantastic illustration of a local authority showing imagination and ambition with existing council land – contributing towards the delivery of Westminster’s strategic vision for a fairer city. The project supports a thriving and active neighbourhood by carefully balancing the provision of community facilities, promoting economic growth, and providing new homes for all. It shows how good quality design can help unlock latent opportunity on existing brownfield land despite complex constraints.
“The extensive improvements to the wider landscape and public realm capitalise on the canal and provide benefit for the wider community, demonstrating the possibilities of civic-led development. By grasping opportunities beyond the site boundary, new development can positively impact whole neighbourhoods and beyond.”
Chris Tredget, managing director for Willmott Dixon in London and the East said: "We're looking forward to getting started on site now that planning permission has been given. Everyone is proud of what a positive impact Dudley House had in providing much needed new homes for people in Westminster and the same team are now focused on doing exactly the same at 300 Harrow Road, which will further stimulate growth in the local economy and bring new jobs, especially during the construction phase when we'll be buying local whenever we can."
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Notes to Editors:
Planning Permission
The development at 300 Harrow Road was granted planning permission at the Planning Committee on 12/05/2020 and this is subject to the usual S106 obligation agreements and GLA approval.
Wilmott Dixon’s appointment is subject to contract agreement.
About the Scheme
A residential-led, mixed-use scheme for Westminster City Council, 300 Harrow Road is an ambitious project intrinsically focused upon placemaking and substantially enhancing the social environment for the community within the City.
The development comprises the re-provision of existing community facilities, a nursery, new public realm, commercial spaces, and crucially 112 new homes – with 50% genuinely affordable. Focusing upon the residential element of the project, all sit within a mixed schedule of accommodation ranging from studio to 3-bedroom apartments – with the majority of family-sized dwellings provided within the social tenure to support an identified need by the local authority.
The design intentionally improves the connectivity between Harrow Road and the canal, strengthening the presence of and overall canal side experience. Each flat’s layout has further been designed to maximise the views through to the canal where possible. Additionally, new active frontages not only provide a sense of place but help create a safe and secure environment for all residents, tackling previous anti-social behaviour within the site.
The nursery is strategically positioned further away from the main road within the development to provide a more serene and protected location, while reducing the effects of any noise and environmental challenges the bustling road may bring. High quality materials such as reflective and tactile terracotta have been utilised throughout, with the inclusion of a centrally landscaped play area intentionally designed into the scheme to foster a real sense of community for all local residents.
What is intermediate rent?
Intermediate rent is aimed at people who do not qualify for social rent but struggle to afford market rent in Westminster. This type of rent is aimed at people who already live and work in the city but are finding it hard to afford their own place in Westminster.
Place shaping at Harrow Road
300 Harrow Road also comes under the Harrow Road District Centre, which is recognised by Westminster City Council as a priority area for change and improvement. Working alongside local residents and stakeholders, the Council are producing a ‘Place Plan’ to describe the existing issues and priorities, establish overarching objectives for the area and give details on a range of realistic projects that will help deliver immediate and longer-term improvement. Visit https://harrowroad.org/
Published: 13 May 2020