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Sadiq Khan approves housing association’s 2,000-home estate regeneration plan
London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved a housing association’s 2,000-home estate regeneration plan, having previously thrown out the proposals over a lack of social housing.
Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) wants to knock down 613 homes on the Grahame Park Estate in Barnet and replace them with 2,088 new builds over the next 15 years.
London deputy mayor for planning Jules Pipe, under powers delegated from Mr Khan, has said he will not intervene in the local authority’s decision over the scheme.
Barnet Council – which is working as a partner on the project – approved NHG’s masterplan for the estate in March.
NHG, which owns around 65,000 homes across London and the South East, said the green light from the mayor is the “final hurdle” for its ambitions for Graham Park.
In December 2017, Mr Khan refused planning permission for the scheme, branding it an example of “how not to do estate regeneration”.
Conservative-run Barnet Council and NHG were ordered back to the drawing board over their plans for the estate, which would have meant a net loss of 257 social homes.
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A Greater London Authority (GLA) report said the revised proposals meet the mayor’s estate regeneration requirements, which include a like-for-like replacement of social rented floorspace.
The new application includes an overall increase in social housing if London Affordable Rent (LAR) – the mayor’s slightly more expensive equivalent product – is counted.
Half of the new housing delivered will be affordable by bedrooms, with a 38:62 split between social rent or LAR and shared ownership.
New homes that will be inhabited by existing tenants on the estate will be social rent, with those not subject to the “right to return” for LAR.
The GLA report said this approach – which will see 346 new homes for social rent – is considered “the maximum viable level of affordable housing”.
Other issues relating to design, heritage, climate change and transport have also been resolved, it added.
Around 1,000 extra homes have also been added to the proposals since Mr Khan’s earlier decision.
Kate Davies, chief executive of NHG, said: “The GLA’s decision is very welcome and will bring a huge benefit to the area, both in terms of new homes and fantastic new facilities.
“It is important to us that we go beyond bricks and mortar and help establish a high-quality neighbourhood with the community at its heart.”
NHG will invest nearly £700m in Grahame Park as it undertakes the project, including £35m from its reserves.
The scheme will also see the association build a new community centre and day nursery, as well as deliver upgrades to the nearby Heybourne Park.
Nearly 700 homes have already been completed as part of the first phase of the Grahame Park regeneration.
Dan Thomas, leader of Barnet Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the GLA’s decision to approve the masterplan for Grahame Park.
“As one of London’s largest boroughs, with a population forecast to increase by more than 30,000 over the next fifteen years, it is essential that we build for Barnet’s future.”
Grahame Park is Barnet’s largest housing estate and was originally made up of 1,777 homes when completed in 1971.
Genesis – now part of NHG – was chosen as the council’s development partner for the estate’s regeneration in 2002 and the first demolition works started in 2007.
The council recently agreed to invest an extra £33m in existing homes on the estate over the next three years over quality concerns.
