Notting Hill Genesis, Wates Residential and Barnet Council have officially broken ground on the construction of 209 new homes in Colindale, marking the next stage in the regeneration of Grahame Park, Barnet's largest housing estate.
Councillor Daniel Thomas, leader of Barnet Council, attended a ceremonial groundbreaking last week to celebrate progress on the scheme, which is one of the largest self-funding regeneration projects in Europe.
This next stage will provide 60 social rented homes, as well as 149 homes for shared ownership, alongside communal green spaces and a new small supermarket for local residents. Kate Davies, chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, and Andrew Savege, head of partnerships at Wates Residential, also attended the event.
The site has been designed with physical and mental wellbeing at its core, creating a safe environment where residents can enjoy beautiful landscaping, parks and tree-lined streets, with walking and cycling paths to connect the neighborhood. There will also be increased investment in local bus services, improving journey times and linking Grahame Park to the rest of Colindale.
We appointed Wates Residential in 2021 to deliver this stage of the wider regeneration masterplan, which will include more than 1,000 affordable homes, as well as new retail, workspaces, community and health facilities, a revitalised Heybourne Park and a new main street.
As part the project, we are committed to leaving a positive legacy in Colindale, working closely with local community groups, schools and charities to deliver social value that lasts. As part of the project, there will be 14 work experience placements and 18 apprenticeships created throughout the project, as well as a pre-employability ‘Construct a Career’ course that will provide vital training and skills to those unemployed locally. Wates have also committed to spend £11 million with local businesses, leveraging the local supply chain and supporting economic growth in the area.
Kate Davies said: “We are so proud of the progress we’ve made at Grahame Park and look forward to working with Wates on this next stage.
When we get involved in building new communities, we know it’s about far more than bricks and mortar. We have supported many local people, charities and small businesses in Colindale and will continue to do so over the coming years, making sure that as well as creating high-quality homes and open spaces we leave a social legacy that will benefit those living here for decades to come.
Councillor Daniel Thomas added: “It was a pleasure to return to Grahame Park estate to see the progress in the next stage of this development. Grahame Park’s residents today and future generations will benefit from high-quality, affordable housing and amenities that have a positive impact on the local community.
“The Grahame Park scheme is one part of Barnet borough’s ambitious housing delivery programme – the largest in the capital. In the past 10 years, 3,500 affordable homes have been built as part of this. We are on track to offer around 800 more new affordable homes for rent by 2024. By 2036, Barnet will have added nearly 44,000 more new homes, at least one-third of which we expect to be affordable.”
Andrew Savege said: “We are excited to take this first step in the construction of this site, which promises to transform the Grahame Park estate for generations to come. As a company, we are committed to developments that not only deliver new homes, but that also significantly benefit the local community by supporting economic growth, promoting opportunities for employment, and creating a safer, brighter future for residents.”