Westminster readies for 1,200 homes at controversial estate regen
Westminster City Council is pursuing plans to deliver up to 1,200 homes in a mixed-use development spanning three sites on Church Street.
The regeneration of the Church Street estates has been a point of contention between the Conservative-controlled council and London mayor Sadiq Khan for many years.
In 2018, Khan withdrew £23.5m in funding from the project after the council refused to hold another residents’ ballot. The most recent ballot was held in 2012, with support from 87%, and the council has conducted ongoing engagement since then.
Westminster City Council is pursuing plans to deliver up to 1,200 homes in a mixed-use development spanning three sites on Church Street.
The regeneration of the Church Street estates has been a point of contention between the Conservative-controlled council and London mayor Sadiq Khan for many years.
In 2018, Khan withdrew £23.5m in funding from the project after the council refused to hold another residents’ ballot. The most recent ballot was held in 2012, with support from 87%, and the council has conducted ongoing engagement since then.
New proposals will see a development comprising residential, commercial, retail and public realm across three sites spanning 10 acres on Church Street.
Buildings will range in height from three to 14 storeys, replacing 16 older low-rise blocks of flats.
Westminster is preparing to lodge a hybrid application with detailed plans for the first phase of development on a parcel to the south of Church Street near to Edgware Road alongside outline approval for two other parcels.
The council has filed an EIA scoping request to the planning department. In pre-planning consultation, Westminster outlined plans for around 430 homes, a new library and retail space on site A, incorporating 50% affordable housing. This will then be followed by 465 homes on site B and 230 on site C.
It is aiming to submit proposals this year, hoping for permission next year. Construction will be phased with site A between 2022 and 2026, site B from 2026 to 2032 and site C from 2032 to 2035.
The entire scheme is expected to deliver 550 affordable homes, as well as a mix of social rent and intermediate homes retained by the council.
The wider Church Street regeneration will provide 1,750 homes with 50% affordable. The council has started work on a 168-home scheme on Luton Street, with a further 260 homes at the Lisson Grove programme over two sites.
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Photo: City of Westminster
