The thriving new community at Grahame Park is celebrating another milestone, with a phase of more than 200 affordable homes reaching its highest point.
Notting Hill Genesis, Barnet Council and contractors Wates marked the occasion with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony recently.
As part of the event, Patrick Franco, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Genesis, Tim Wates, Deputy Chairman of Wates Group and Cllr Alison Moore, Mayor of Barnet, laid mortar at the top of the block, which makes up part of Plot A.
Plot A, which is due to be completed in early 2024, is a fully affordable scheme with 60 social and London Affordable Rent homes for the remaining social tenants at Grahame Park. There will also be 149 for shared ownership, as well as new green space and a small supermarket.
Plot A is part of a wider masterplan which will create over 2,000 homes in total as well as retail, workspace, health facilities and a new main street to act as a centre-point to the growing neighbourhood.
Patrick Franco said: “This is partnership working at its very best, where we are all united in our ambition to create a neighbourhood that meets the needs of its community and provides them with high-quality homes, great facilities on their doorstep and excellent public spaces in which to relax and connect.
“But it’s about more than what we can build. We are committed to ensuring this regeneration is a force for good in the wider Colindale area, which is why we are investing in supporting community wellbeing through our Community Foundation and the Make it Happen programme, supporting training, employment and business start-ups, as well as enabling improved transport links and low-cost workspace for independent local businesses to thrive.”
Helen Bunch, Executive Managing Director for Wates Residential, added: “We are celebrating an important milestone in the delivery of these much-needed homes, which will help bring new life to Grahame Park.
“As well as new homes, the regeneration we are providing here is bringing with it valuable new opportunities for people, and we have been particularly engaged with young people, through local schools as well as employment, apprenticeships and training.
“It won’t be long now until local people will be enjoying these modern new homes and helping to form a thriving new community.”
Cllr Ross Houston, Barnet Council’s Housing and Growth Committee Chair, said: “This is a great milestone we have achieved in the borough, as we continue to work towards our pledge of building 1,000 affordable homes by 2026. We care about people our places and the planet in Barnet and want to ensure we can provide our communities with high quality living spaces.”
The development of the new homes in Plot A has been supported by £8.3m of grant funding from the Greater London Authority.
Header image: Notting Hill Genesis and Wates colleagues with Cllr Alison Moore.
