Demolition begins to make way for new affordable council homes in Harrow
Demolition begins to make way for new affordable council homes in Harrow
After proposals were approved last month by Harrow’s Planning Committee, the construction of new affordable council homes is underway at an underused site off Milton Road, adjacent to the current Civic Centre.
The work, being undertaken by Wates, Harrow Council’s development partner, involves the demolition of the Citizens Advice Centre on Station Road, which has been temporarily relocated.
The plot, which is largely taken up by a small surface level car park, will soon become 39 new high-quality apartments and family homes – 12 available for council rent and 27 shared ownership properties for which key workers and those with links to the local area are being given preferential access. There will also be a small community space or commercial unit facing Station Road to serve the needs of the local community and a pocket park with play spaces.
As part of the new scheme to deliver the homes, Wates will be looking to engage closely with the local community, employing 6 new apprentices and 15 work experience placements for people in the borough to take advantage of and benefit from.
One of the first initiatives will be a ‘Wall of Kindness’, which will be on the hoarding around the site from next month, encouraging people to leave good quality clothing for people that need it more.
“This site and others in and around Wealdstone are central to the council’s long-term regeneration vision. It’s fantastic to start unlocking the potential of these underused urban spaces, so that they can benefit the people of Harrow. This one will soon support a new community living in superb affordable housing.
This is just the start of an ambitious regeneration programme that will deliver much-needed new homes, new community facilities and a wealth of economic opportunities.
Today we’re witnessing the opening phase of our partnership with Wates – we’re very excited about our joint venture and the journey ahead.”
Dipti Patel
Harrow Council’s Director of Community
“Milton Road is the first of a number of schemes that our partnership with Harrow Council will deliver over the coming years. The wider benefits for the community as a whole will be significant, with commitment to local employment, upskilling and creating opportunity for people along the way.
At Wates, we believe everyone deserves a great place to live. This doesn’t just apply to the warm and comfortable homes that we build but also to the surrounding areas. This means employing local businesses and creating opportunities for people along the way.”
Baerbel Schuett, Wates Residential’s Development Director
Wates Residential’s Development Director
As well the site at Milton Road, Wates is also creating new homes for local people at Poets Corner, currently the site of the Council’s Civic Centre; Peel Road, off Wealdstone High Street and Byron Quarter, next to Byron Park.
These three projects currently form part of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, between Wates Residential and Harrow Council, which aims to build 1,500 high-quality new homes around the Wealdstone area over the next ten years.
Citizens Advice Harrow has temporarily moved to another building on the Civic Centre site and will relocate to a new permanent home in the town centre later this year.
