The latest housing development from Westminster City Council has received planning approval. The 291 Harrow Road development will create more than 100 new homes.
Across three separate buildings, the 291 Harrow Road development will deliver 144 homes with 50% affordable housing. A total of 48 will be affordable homes, 24 will be Adult Social Care units at social rent and 72 homes will be available for private sale. The site was part of the former Harrow Road wing of St Mary’s Hospital prior to a period of redevelopment in the 1980s.
At the Westminster City Council planning committee on the 8th July, the development secured approval by three votes to two.
Cllr Ellie Ormsby, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, said: “291 Harrow Road presents a fantastic opportunity for us to deliver a greater number of high-quality homes for social rent — a necessary step considering there are over 6,000 households on Westminster’s housing waiting list — while also delivering on our ambitious sustainability commitments as one of the capital’s greenest developments.
“Moreover, a large proportion of these homes, a sixth of the total number, are allocated for use by adult social care services, where we are seeing growing demand. We’re excited to develop a building which embraces inclusivity and delivers for the diverse needs across our community.”
Designs for 291 Harrow Road embrace the ‘Be Lean, Clean, Green and Seen’ energy hierarchy which utilises a fabric first approach to maximise reduction in energy through passive design measures. New, high efficiency servicing equipment and efficient façades will minimise the energy usage of the building.
The scheme will make use of air source heat pumps and solar photo photovoltaic panels to maximise the use of renewable energy. It is anticipated that across the site build, and once occupied, 291 Harrow Road will achieve a 70% sitewide reduction over the baseline for the proposed development, far exceeding the Greater London Authority target of 35%.
Westminster City Council has committed to 50% affordable housing across its development projects, made up of social rent and London Living Rent.
