Work has begun on hundreds of new homes, commercial space and parkland at Wooddene in Peckham, which will create a “mixed, sustainable community”.
Over the past 18 months a new energy centre has been built on the site, which will provide heating and hot water to the new homes at Wooddene, as well as for the existing Acorns estate nearby.
Now that the new energy centre has been completed, contractors Higgins Construction have started work on the 333 new mixed tenure homes, available for Social Rent, Shared Ownership and Private Sale.
The area will also benefit from new community facilities, retail space, landscaping and a communal pocket park.
One-fifth of the new properties will be family homes of three bedrooms or more, with all having private amenity space such as a garden or balcony. There will also be secure car and bicycle parking. The scheme is due to be completed in 2019.
Architects Jestico + Whiles have created a scheme with active frontage on all sides of each block, meaning streets are overlooked by kitchens and dining rooms on the ground floor, and bedrooms and living rooms on the first floor. This is aimed at providing safer streets for both residents and passers-by.
Kate Davies, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Housing, said: “This is an exciting project for us, creating more than 300 homes for London and a mixed, sustainable community for residents.
“By also providing a pocket park, community facilities and commercial space, we are sure the new development will be a great boost to those living in Wooddene and its neighbouring areas.”
As part of the Wooddene development, Notting Hill Housing’s award-winning Construction Training Initiative, working with Higgins Construction, will support unemployed Southwark residents to gain qualifications through paid work placements in site management, bricklaying, carpentry, painting, electrical installation and plumbing.
Paul Cooke, New Business Director for Higgins Construction, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract for Wooddene and look forward to working closely with Notting Hill.
“As an organisation we strive to build communities that are stronger, safer and more sustainable and we will work closely with local residents and partners to ensure this happens. We are also committed to taking on local labour on each of our sites and will create employment opportunities for local people around Wooddene through our training and apprenticeship schemes.”