Development partners gathered to celebrate the ground breaking ceremony for a major new housing scheme in Kilburn.
Brent Council worked in partnership with housing association Sovereign Network Group (SNG) to appoint award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group to deliver 125 new homes on the Watling Gardens estate in Shoot-Up Hill.
The development across the existing Watling Gardens estate will include 80 one-, two,- and three-bedroom homes, of which 56 will be for rent and 24 will be shared ownership. There will also be 45 one-bedroom self-contained flats to help people live independently as part of Brent’s New Accommodation for Independent Living (NAIL) project.
Councillor Promise Knight, Brent’s cabinet member for housing, homelessness and renters’ security, said it was a “crucial step forward” for the residents of Watling Gardens.
She added: “The independent living homes will help meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our borough by offering communal facilities, including a lounge, activity rooms, outdoor gym, play area and a landscaped front and back garden. Residents who move to the new scheme will also benefit from care staff assistance.
“A safe and secure home is the foundation for people to build their lives upon, and we are committed to tackling the housing crisis in every way we can.”
The design of the energy-efficient blocks is said to incorporate cutting edge improvements in security, waste management and amenities. The new homes at Watling Gardens also aim to meet residents’ needs in terms of space, storage, daylight, amenity space and accessibility.
Simon Trice, managing director at The Hill Group, said: “We are pleased to be celebrating this key point in the construction of Watling Gardens and turn the plans for this innovative new development into a reality.
“We are delighted to be working with Brent Council and Sovereign Network Group to provide these much-needed homes that are both sustainable and low energy, suiting the needs not only of today’s residents but those long into the future.”
Paul Haines, SNG’s construction and regeneration director, said: “Sovereign Network Group is pleased to be working in collaboration with Brent on the Watling Gardens development in delivering this exemplar project of much-needed housing.”
The development is planned for completion in winter 2025.
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