The programme is expected to deliver hundreds of high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing for residents, who will play a leading role in shaping the proposals. It is being guided by a comprehensive assessments the council’s 171 estates, designed to identify those that will need to be updated over the next 20 years.
At the Cabinet meeting last night, where the intention to prepare the programme was approved, it was also resolved that the Convent Way estate, in Heston, will be the first estate to be regenerated, with the potential to create 1100 new homes – up from 440 currently – a community centre, play areas and improved public transport links.
The regeneration project will be a further step towards the Council’s pledge to secure 5,000 new affordable homes for Hounslow (3,000 for social rent and 2,000 for shared ownership), and honouring its commitment to build 1,000 new council homes, by March 2022. Already 1,118 new affordable homes have been built in the borough.
Convent Way was prioritised for early regeneration following an audit that showed it faced increasing maintenance bills, consistent concerns about nuisance behaviour like fly-tipping and that it would struggle to meet the council’s rigorous energy efficiency targets. The plans that mean the regeneration of the estate will be shaped by the residents themselves, in an open conversation about what residents want for the future of the place they live. 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.
Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of the Council and Lead Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Affordable Housing Developments 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.”
Cllr Lily Bath, Deputy Leader and Lead Cabinet Member for Housing and Social Inclusion said: “We are very excited to be embarking on this estate regeneration journey with our residents.
“These plans will go towards responding to significant housing challenges that we face. It will help us create more and better homes that will improving the housing conditions of many existing tenants as well provide new homes for many households who are in need of one.
“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.”
