Wates Residential has been appointed by The London Borough of Hounslow to deliver 61 much needed high-quality new homes to meet the growing demand for affordable housing in the borough.
The national contractor and developer has been selected to deliver the scheme as part of the local authority’s 5,000 Pledge to secure an additional 5,000 high quality affordable new homes for local people by 2022.
Planning permission was secured in March 2020 and Wates Residential started work on site in December 2020. The project, which was procured through the SCAPE Framework, will include the demolition of the former sheltered accommodation which is no longer fit for purpose, and the construction of 61 new homes for council rent across three new blocks. Eight of the new homes will be wheelchair accessible.
Several initiatives have also been incorporated to help residents lead more environmentally friendly lives. The new homes will be all-electric, removing reliance on gas for heating and cooking and offer an opportunity to use cleaner energy sources. This supports Hounslow Council’s drive to ensure that new homes in the borough are energy efficient.
The proposed plans also incorporate green spaces for the local community including a children’s play area, communal gardens and rain gardens, whilst maintaining the existing tree canopy.
As part of the project, Wates Residential and Hounslow Council have made a joint pledge to work together to increase education, skills and training opportunities, as well as boost Hounslow’s local economy by employing local businesses. This will include a minimum of £2.6 million to be invested in the local community through social value activity.
Social value commitments include the provision of at least 9 work experience placements and 4 apprenticeship opportunities, promoting and working with local community groups, and organising Construct a Career courses to help long-term unemployed adults learn the skills they need to get back to work.
In addition, more than 75% of job opportunities on the Burlington Close scheme will be offered to individuals living within a 40 mile radius of the site and 85% of the spend on site materials and services will be procured from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Lee Bushell, Operations Director at Wates Residential, said:
“We are looking forward to delivering these much-needed council homes for local people with London Borough of Hounslow.
“Local communities are at the heart of every project we work on so we are really pleased that this project will also leave a positive lasting legacy through our joint commitment to invest in creating training and employment opportunities.”
Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, commented:
“The Council is delighted that work is now starting at Burlington Close, Bedfont in partnership with Wates Residential to deliver a further 61 new council homes which will go towards our Housing Pledge of securing 5,000 new affordable homes and build 1000 new council homes by 2022”.
Mark Robinson, group chief executive, SCAPE, said: “Not only are Wates Residential and Hounslow Council proactively addressing the UK’s ongoing housing crisis, they’re coming together to deliver a project that will boost the community locally and support economic growth. These new homes are an outstanding example of what modern affordable housing should look like: contributing to improved environmental performance while creating real social value. We’re proud to see this project, along with many others, getting spades in the ground quickly as part of the drive to build back better across the public sector.”