London,
24
January
2018
|
13:33
Europe/London

Residents bouncing as new Maiden Lane homes unveiled

Residents living in brand new council homes joined councillors to celebrate the completion of the Maiden Lane development on Saturday 20 January.

Families met their new neighbours and shared lunch, while children enjoyed a bouncy castle, inflatable ten-pin bowling and face painting.Ms Boyele Baambe, who has just moved into a new home on the estate, brought her children along to the fun day. “My kids love it”, she said, “they can come together and play with their friends from the estate”.

Residents, Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, and his predecessor to that role Councillor Phil Jones, all gave speeches reflecting upon the immense amount of work that went into the project, the strength of the community and the importance of social housing in Camden. Cllr Beales then unveiled a plaque with a resident to commemorate the new construction.

Funded by Camden Council’s Community Investment Programme, the new development is providing 273 new homes, including:

  • 74 much needed council homes for people from the existing estate and local residents from our council waiting list
  • 52 Camden Living rented homes, let at genuinely affordable Camden Living Rents
  • 147 homes for private sale built to fund the new council and Camden Living homes
  • Better Homes refurbishments across all 443 remaining flats on Maiden Lane
  • New facilities for the local community, including new children’s play areas.

Councillor Danny Beales said: “The redevelopment of Maiden Lane looks fantastic. I was very pleased to join local residents in celebrating completion of the estate. It’s a great example of what we’re achieving through our Community Investment Programme, which is all about creating facilities for our communities.

“The new family-sized homes will particularly help families who have been living with serious overcrowding for years. Some of families I've met who are settling into their new flats were previously sharing one bedroom between 5 or 6 people. Now, children have their own room, as well as spaces to play and do their homework

“The scheme at Maiden Lane has also helped pay for refurbishments and improvements to existing homes across the estate and created new business spaces that will bring further employment opportunities and boost the local economy.

“Preserving the character and social mix of the estate was a key aspect of the plans for redevelopment, carefully considering the intentions behind the original Maiden Lane project to ensure it remains an estate for all.

“We’ve also provided funding for local schools, including Brecknock primary school, and supported the Maiden Lane Community Centre.”

Read more about the Maiden Lane development at camden.gov.uk/cip