Council development scheme takes major step forward

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

A west London council development scheme has taken a major step forward after the awarding of a £13.7million contract to design and build the homes.

Neilcott Construction Ltd has been chosen by Hammersmith and Fulham council as the principal contractor for 31 flats in Farm Lane, 16 of which are to be ‘affordable’.

The scheme was approved by the council in July 2023, with work to begin this summer. It is expected to be completed by January 2026.

Cllr Andrew Jones, Hammersmith and Fulham council’s cabinet member for the economy, said the Farm Lane scheme constitutes one of 16 in the council’s ‘direct delivery programme’, which will see more than 1,100 homes built or under way by the local authority in the next five years.

The Farm Lane site, which is a five-minute walk from Fulham Broadway Tube station and sits between the Walham Grove and Walham Green conservation areas, is currently vacant brownfield land. It includes a disused children’s centre which has not been occupied in more than a decade.

As well as the 16 ‘affordable’ homes, made up of 10 at social rent and six shared ownership, 15 will be sold at market rate.

Documents filed as part of the application noted that the scheme will involve knocking down the current three-storey building, to be replaced with a three-to-five-storey residential block.

A new play space, to include a climbing structure, plus additional planting and cycle storage are also included in the plans.

The awarding of the contract to Neilcott Construction Ltd, which also built the Sands End Arts and Community Centre on behalf of the council, means it will be able to begin mobilisation works by May 31 at the latest.

Cllr Jones said: “We know how much local people struggle to afford housing in Hammersmith and Fulham. We’re doing everything possible to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes.”

The Farm Lane development is also part of the council’s wider pledge to secure up to 3,000 new affordable homes over the next four years, via means including ‘partnership initiatives’ as well as its own development pipeline.