Catalyst teams up with Mount Anvil for Acton regen

Catalyst has partnered with Mount Anvil to deliver additional homes on the 5.9-acre site at Friary Park in Acton, West London, W3. The housing association’s partnership with the London resi developer seeks to increase the number of homes to 930, up from around 570 in previous proposals. It will deliver 50% affordable housing at the site; this includes the re-provision of 225 homes at social rent with additional new, shared-ownership homes. Existing homes will be demolished and replaced. Current estate residents will have the option of moving into the new homes, pending planning consent. The site benefits from close proximity to the local shopping area and nearby Acton Main Line railway station, which will be part of the new Crossrail network. Catalyst will continue to own the development and will manage the rental and shared ownership homes. The housing association acquired the site in 1988 under its former company Ealing Family Housing Association. Mount Anvil and Catalyst will submit a planning application to Ealing Council during 2019. Ian McDermott, chief executive at Catalyst, said: “Catalyst has been working with residents for some time to deliver modern, efficient new homes and a thriving neighbourhood at Friary Park. We are excited to be announcing our partnership with Mount Anvil, who will bring a wealth of design and construction experience to the redevelopment.” Killian Hurley, chief executive at Mount Anvil, said: “Together we are delivering better homes for Friary Park residents, creating quality mixed-tenure neighbourhoods, green spaces for the community and a legacy of skills for the local people.” Friary Park was originally built for private sale by Laing Construction. Catalyst submitted an EIA in 2015 for the demolition of existing buildings to be replaced with towers of up to 29 storeys, providing 650 homes, half of which are to be provided at social rent. A revised EIA in 2017 scaled down the maximum height of buildings to 17 storeys, following consultation with local residents. It upped the commercial space to 10,763 sq ft, and dropped the residential provision to 570 homes. Mount Anvil has delivered more than 5,500 homes in London, and has a pipeline of more than 3,500. In the past seven years the developer has had nine partnerships across 18 schemes, working with housing associations including A2Dominion, Clarion Housing Group and One Housing Group. Catalyst has more than 22,000 homes in London and the South East. It focuses on “tenure-blind” regeneration schemes, offering a range of rental and home ownership opportunities. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette