493 homes on their way as Camden’s house building reaches new heights

It’s a long way down from the top of Camden Council’s largest housing redevelopment – but things are looking up with nearly 500 homes on their way to the borough.

Camden councillors and residents celebrated as they marked the ‘topping out’ of a new housing block at Agar Grove today (Tuesday, 4 October 2016), donning hard hats to reveal its completed concrete frame. This new block, developed by contractors Hill, will provide 38 new council homes for residents currently living in older housing on the estate.

In total, 493 new and replacement homes are being built at Agar Grove, consisting of a mix of council homes, homes for intermediate rent and private homes.

The redeveloped estate is a shining example of Camden’s Community Investment Programme (CIP), the council’s 15-year programme to invest money in schools, homes and community facilities.

Camden Council Leader, Councillor Sarah Hayward, said: “We’re proud to continue investing in and building quality new council homes for our families who desperately need them. It’s vital we keep our mixed-communities together in Camden and, through CIP, we’re providing the range of homes badly needed in the face of London’s housing crisis and damaging Government housing policy.”

The new homes will be larger than the flats they replace and are being built to very high standards of environmental sustainability, to keep fuel bills low.

Agar Grove estate resident Glenda Latchmansighn said: “I’m really looking forward to moving into one of the new homes. I’ve seen the plans and I’m now eager to see the finished look. It will be nice to have more room and I’m pleased to hear that it will be tripled glazed.

“It’s just three of us on the Sturminster estate and we’re all excited about the move. I’ve lived on the estate for over 20 years and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

The Council aims to build over 3,000 homes and invest £117 million in schools and children’s centres through its CIP, as well as deliver new community centres and emergency accommodation hostels.

To date the Council’s CIP has built nearly 300 homes and expects to complete another 425 homes in the next 18 months. Nearly £60m has been invested in improvements to schools and children’s centres to date and the award winning Holmes Road homeless centre will open soon.

With only 2% of the council’s capital programme until 2025 funded from government grants, the Council generates funding for its Community Investment Programme through the sale of under-used council buildings, receipts from the private homes it builds and making better use of its land.