Work Begins on New Housing on Kersfield Estate | ||||
41 apartments being built on site near Putney Heath
Building work has commenced on seven blocks which will contain 41 new apartments in the Kersfield Estate near Putney Heath. They will be between two and four storeys high across the existing estate. In total, 14 of the new homes are for social rent housing while the rest will be for open market sale. Any surplus will be used by the council for further housing projects in the borough. The apartments will be a mix of one, two or three bed apartments and some will be fully wheelchair accessible. The new apartments are part of Wandsworth Council’s Housing for All programme to build 1,000 homes by 2025 prioritised for local residents, key workers and other workers. Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Kim Caddy said, “Despite the latest lockdown it is great to see our Housing for All programme continue at pace. We have completed more than 100 homes so far with many more under construction and this is another step to providing homes for people who want to live in Wandsworth whatever stage in their life they are at.” The work is being carried out by national contractor and developer, Wates Residential which will start by demolishing an electricity sub-station and old garages to make way for the new homes. Wates will also be planting new trees, introducing a new soft landscaping, improving the lighting, installing new play areas and resurfacing pathways. There will also be new bin stores, cycle racks and an electric car charging point. Helen Bunch, Executive Managing Director for Wates Residential, commented, “Local communities are at the forefront of what we do so we are pleased that our work will leave a positive lasting legacy in the area, by supporting local people and businesses through our work at Kersfield Estate.” Wates Residential and Wandsworth Council are working together to host five apprentices on site, nine work experience placements and there is a target of 10 per cent spend with local businesses. The start of work follows an extensive consultation with estate residents to get their views which led to significant reshaping of the plans including reducing the size of the new car park, installing cycle racks and the improved landscaping. The council is also redeveloping two of its biggest estates - the Alton Estate and Winstanley and York. The new housing built alongside plans to build on the town hall site in Wandsworth will mean 3,500 more units could be provided over the next 15 years.
February 19, 2021 |