Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Kensington & Chelsea Council to deliver two housing schemes as part of the council’s ambitious New Homes Delivery Programme.
Procured under the SCF framework, the largest project is at Kensal Road, where Willmott Dixon will deliver a £17.1m development to create 37 homes above new ground floor commercial accommodation. The five storey building, which rises to six stories at key points, will be complete in the autumn of 2022 and benefit from shared garden space and a podium deck with a large, landscaped terrace.
In conjunction with Kensal Road, Willmott Dixon will also deliver a £8.5m development at Hewer Street to provide a further 20 homes that will complete in winter 2022/23. Both Kensal Road and Hewer Street projects include air source heat pumps that eliminate the need for gas, providing a sustainable heating solution.
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Housing, said: “Seeing the first spades in the ground at these sites is an exciting moment in our mission to provide much-needed good-quality homes across our borough, including at least 300 at social rent.
“There’s no single, simple solution to London’s housing crisis and that’s why we have committed to reduce the number of empty homes, push developers to provide more social housing and develop a policy to provide affordable housing for key workers.”
Roger Forsdyke, managing director for Willmott Dixon’s London & South region said: “We are delighted to be working with Kensington & Chelsea Council on their bold New Homes Delivery Programme, creating much needed homes for local residents and providing a minimum of half for social rent. We have a proud history of delivering housing for local authorities across London, through our specialist local supply chain, and are looking forward to the opportunity to generate local prosperity within the community through our social value programmes.”
Adam Sanford, SCF Operations Lead, said: “We’re proud that SCF have been able to support Kensington & Chelsea Council in delivering their New Homes Delivery Programme, addressing local housing needs in a sustainable and affordable way, this scheme will be a real asset to the local community.
The appointment to these two projects by Kensington & Chelsea Council is the latest housing scheme for a London borough by Willmott Dixon. In the summer of 2019, it handed over Dudley House for Westminster City Council, which delivered 197 affordable homes and the 840 place, seven storey Marylebone Boys’ School. The company is also delivering a £46m mixed-use development at 300 Harrow Road for Westminster, along with homes in Barking for Be-First.
