Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Social and affordable housing in spotlight
HOUNSLOW REGENERATION PLAN IS GIVEN GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED
HOUSING, and in particular affordable and council housing is in complete disarray in London.
What is left of the council housing stock is in chaos, while poor design and maintenance has led to pockets of criminal activity and deprivation.
Hounslow has a huge 171 council estates, many of which have now been earmarked for necessary upgrades over the next 20 years after a comprehensive assessment.
As well as renovating and improving the homes, Hounslow must build 5,000 new affordable homes by 2022 to meet its pledge, including 3,000 for social rent and 2,000 for shared ownership. As well as these homes, Hounslow must build 1,000 new council houses by March 2022.
So far, 1,118 affordable homes have been built in the borough.
At a Hounslow Council cabinet meeting in late January, the “intention to prepare” the regeneration programme was approved. They also nominated Heston’s Convent Way estate as the first to be regenerated under the scheme.
At Convent Way alone, Hounslow Council think they can build 1,100 new homes, while the site currently hosts just 440. They also want to build a community centre, play areas and improved public transport links.
The estate was chosen after an audit showed it faced increasing bills for maintenance as well as concerns over nuisance behaviour like fly-tipping. It was also deemed unlikely the estate would be able to meet the council’s energy efficiency targets.
The next stage of the plan involves a conversation with current residents about the area and what needs to done.
The regeneration of the estate will lead to an increased number of council homes. All existing tenants and leaseholders will be offered an alternative home on the new estate.
Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran, said: “I am delighted with this chance to create new, high quality and energy efficient homes, as well as opportunities for new community and health facilities, shops, improved transport links, and green and leisure spaces. It will take us one step further to delivering our housing pledge and our strategic aspirations for building more vibrant, thriving places where people will enjoy living.
“It is vital that residents and the local communities support us in our aspirations.
“That is why we are putting them at the heart of this process _ we need to build a partnership with them to develop a scheme that will better serve their needs, create jobs and improve their quality of life.
“I encourage all residents in Convent Way to come forward, provide their ideas and help shape the future plans for their estate.”
Councillor Lily Bath, Deputy Leader and Lead Cabinet Member for Housing and Social Inclusion said: “It is important that residents and communities understand our aspiration for breathing new life into our estates and to support them – we want them to engage and get involved as much as possible.
“Our engagement with them starts now, and will continue right to the end – when all existing tenants are in their new homes.”