Wates Residential and Orbit, in partnership with the London Borough of Bexley will deliver 320 new homes in Erith, south-east London. Former residents attended a special event recently to mark the start of demolition and recall childhood memories.
The project will see 320 new homes built, of which 80% will be for affordable rent and shared ownership to ensure a mixed, aspirational and sustainable community for local residents. It comes after Wates Residential and Orbit completed six years of work on the nearby Larner Road estate, transforming it into the award-winning, mixed tenure community Erith Park with 587 new homes.
Team members from both organisations came together with guests from the London Borough of Bexley and former residents at a special demolition event to mark the significant step forward for the project (pictured above). The work is expected to be completed by 2023.
As part of the venture, Wates Residential and Orbit have also pledged to kick start training opportunities from local residents by hiring at least 31 apprentices and at least 25 people in full time employment from the local area.
Another of the unique training and employment initiatives that Wates Residential has brought to Erith is its Building Futures programme, which helps unemployed adults gain valuable practical experience and employability coaching to reinvigorate their career prospects. Seven students recently graduated from the two-week course having gained hands on experience of a construction site.
Glen Roberts, Operations Director for Wates Residential, said: “The start of demolition is a significant moment for the Park East development, which will deliver hundreds of high quality new homes and a lasting legacy for the area.
“We are pleased to have been able to join together with our partners Orbit and the London Borough of Bexley to hear from residents about their fondest memories of the area. We are looking forward to the community being able to make new memories in Park East over the coming years.”
Caroline Field, Head of Regeneration for Orbit, commented: “We’re delighted Doreen and Mick could join us and to hear they are happily settling in their new home. We moved over 250 households from the old Arthur Street estate and aimed to find all of them a better quality home.”
