- Construction has been completed on the Luton Street development as part of Westminster Council’s wider Church Street Regeneration programme
- The area includes new affordable housing, a leisure centre, and the first section of the green spine, a pedestrianised route connecting Church Street and Marylebone
The latest Luton Street development within the wider Church Street regeneration programme has now finished construction with people moving in throughout September and early October.
The Luton Street development is in the heart of the Church Street neighbourhood near Edgware Road and consists of 171 modern new homes and state-of-the-art community facilities, including the new Church Street leisure centre and the new Green Spine outdoor space for the community to use and enjoy.
Of these 171 homes, 62 are designated affordable, which has increased since the new administration came to power. Further changes have been made to maximise the number of social rent by a further 15 homes which includes three 3 bedroom properties and twelve 2 bedrooms, whilst the remaining one bedroom homes have been offered as intermediate rent.
Local people have been given priority when it comes to purchasing homes on the development.
The scheme has also delivered a new 490m² sports hall and community space for the wider neighbourhood to benefit from. The new Church Street Community Sports Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Westminster City Council, features a three-court sports hall suitable for football 5 a-side, basketball, futsal, netball, volleyball, badminton, and table tennis.
The centre, opening next month, will also offer affordable access for community groups and local residents, and there is a community studio which can be used for group exercise classes ranging from yoga to pilates, events, community meetings, children’s parties, and soft play.
The Luton Street development also includes the first section of a new green spine, a landscaped pedestrian route that will better link Church Street with Marylebone and re-establish connectivity within the neighbourhood. Designed with pedestrian and cycle paths, gardens and play areas, this is a space predominantly for people away from cars and will offer opportunities for walking, cycling, play and exercise, while promoting biodiversity.
Cllr Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Regeneration and Renters, said:
"Building genuinely affordable and social homes for local people is at the top of the list of priorities for the new administration and so we are pleased to be able to offer more social homes than originally planned as part of the Luton Street development.
The average wait time in Westminster for a for two-bedroom property is ten years and 16 years for a three-bedroom. This is unacceptable and the affordable homes on this scheme are a step in the right direction for homeless families in Westminster. This development is just the beginning, and we want to continue to deliver bigger and more affordable homes, as well as make changes that will revitalise areas for local communities and provide better, greener places for residents to live."
The Luton Street regeneration project has been delivered by joint venture partners Westminster Builds - Westminster City Council’s wholly owned development arm - and Linkcity, a division of Bouygues UK.
Published: 30 September 2022