New Council Homes in McKinney House Described as Stunning | ||||
10 flats in Roehampton have balconies and electric car chargers
Fresh pictures have revealed a “stunning” block of new council homes in a Roehampton estate that come with balconies and electric car chargers. The development on Bessborough Road has been called McKinney House to celebrate the life of the former vicar of Holy Trinity Church Rev. Jim McKinney who died almost three years ago. The site will bring 10 new council homes including five three-bed maisonettes, two three-bed flats and three two-bed flats and is the first stage of the regeneration of the Alton Estate by Wandsworth Council. The 1950s Brutalist style estate which borders Richmond Park will see over 1,000 new homes built as part of the regeneration, which was approved a year ago. The McKinney House flats have access to either a private garden or balcony and are fully adaptable for mobility needs of residents.
One of the maisonettes is fully wheelchair accessible and has been adapted to meet the needs of a local family. The development also offers a secure communal garden with play equipment for children under five years old, communal bike and bin storage areas, five parking spaces and an electric car charger. New residents will move in over the next few weeks including Emma Williams and her three children. She said: “We are very excited to be moving in. It is so lovely with big windows bringing a lot of light into the property. I was surprised when I first saw it just how nice it is.” A housing spokesperson for the council, said: “It really demonstrates how social housing has improved over the years and that it is really built to last now.” Rev. McKinney’s wife Sue is a Labour councillor for Roehampton and Putney Heath. She told The Local Democracy Reporting Service, “Compared to what is there already, it’s stunning.” Cllr McKinney added: “My husband’s aim as a vicar was to bring communities together. He did this through his extensive pastoral work believing that hospitality was the key to bringing people together no matter what their political persuasion or faith group was.” The Rev’s two children Ruth, 32, and Alex, 31, cut the ribbon to formally open the development on Friday October 15. Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Ravi Govindia, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to provide more good quality homes for our residents and I am also delighted that we have been able to honour the life of the Rev Jim McKinney who was much-loved and did so much for the local community.”
Cllr Jonathan Cook, cabinet member for housing, added: “This development marks the first stage of the redevelopment of the Alton Estate and I am very proud that we continue to fight for better homes for our residents.” James Mayer - Local Democracy Reporter
October 20, 2021 |