The latest milestone in the estate improvement and regeneration of the Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate in Hendon has been marked with a topping out ceremony. Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), the not-for-profit affordable housing provider is leading the transformation in collaboration with The Hill Group. Once complete the project will provide over 250 highly sustainable, affordable homes.
Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley joined representatives from MTVH, Hill and Barnet Council to celebrate construction works on Bream Court reaching the highest point on the last building to be completed in Phase 1 of the development. Bream Court is a new collection of 33 homes for social rent, allocated to existing residents of Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate.
The five-year regeneration project, led by MTVH working in partnership with Hill and Barnet Council, with the support of funding from the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes programme, replaces the former 1960s estate with 251 new genuinely affordable homes. The affordable-led scheme includes 103 affordable rented homes offered to all tenants of the existing estate at the same rent levels they currently pay, together with shared ownership and specially-designed homes for people aged over-55.
The Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate regeneration and estate improvement is the first scheme to have been approved by a resident ballot under guidance set out by the Mayor of London. Following a public consultation, a ballot of residents about the plans was held in 2019 and received 75% approval from residents. The topping out ceremony marks further progress towards delivering on the wishes of local residents.
Guy Palmer, Director of Regeneration at MTVH, said: “It is fantastic to reach this latest milestone in the estate improvement and regeneration of the Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate in Hendon. This major project makes a significant contribution to affordable new homes in the borough, which are so desperately needed. We have worked closely with residents throughout the process, which led to over 75% of residents voting in favour of the redevelopment under the resident ballot, the first to be held under new rules from the Mayor of London in 2019. We are proud to be helping shape a revitalised community where local people have had a real say and the result is an inclusive and desirable place to live.”
Bream Court provides a range of contemporary, energy-efficient apartments in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom layouts. Built to high standards of sustainability, the development has been designed with air source heat pumps for heating and a green roof. The wider development incorporates green spaces and play areas, offering extensive public outdoor space for residents to enjoy. Hill is responsible for the overall build of the project, having been appointed by MTVH as design and build contractor last year.
Simon Trice, Regional Managing Director at The Hill Group, commented: “We are very pleased with progress in the delivery of the project and to mark the topping out milestone. This regeneration not only provides an increase in the number of affordable homes available locally, but also is a significant upgrade in accommodation for existing residents, offering them a better quality of life. The construction schedule is on track and we expect the first completions early next year.”
Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said: “I am delighted to see the progress being made by MTVH and The Hill Group on delivering the genuinely affordable homes Londoners so desperately need.
“The regeneration of this estate has taken place with the co-operation and support of local Barnet residents who will now get to enjoy these new high-quality homes for many years to come.”
Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Barnet Council, Abid Arai commented: “The Council resolved through its Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee (2017) to dispose of its Freehold interest to Metropolitan Thames Valley’s redevelopment. This was an important step in the redevelopment of the Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate since residents gave their approval and voted in favour of the proposals. The scheme delivers a significant number of improved homes for our residents and reflects the significant wider growth, which is taking place across the whole of the borough.”
Chair of Barnet’s Housing & Growth Committee, Cllr Ross Houston said: “I’m delighted to attend the topping out of the Westhorpe Garden regeneration. The development is an excellent example of working with communities on regeneration to re-provide brand new social rented homes, and much needed additional affordable homes.”
