Wandsworth council to revamp social housing with community focused programme

Wandsworth council is delivering more affordable housing alongside the development of community facilities.

The council’s planning committee recently approved proposals at the former Atheldene Centre, in Garratt Lane, which will increase the affordable housing offer on site from 45 per cent to more than 82 per cent.

The scheme will also deliver a new health centre for the NHS and new shops.

Aydin Dikerdem, cabinet member for housing, said: “The recent decision to further increase the overall number of social rent homes at this site is fantastic and shows that our ambitious targets can be met.

“We are leading by example with this site to show that it is achievable for businesses to deliver much-needed new homes, along with community improvements, and still have a viable scheme.”

Phase one of the development, led by developer Higgins, is due to complete in the coming months. 

All homes delivered in phase two will be for social rent as part of the council’s Homes for Wandsworth programme.

Mr Dikerdem said: “Every new council home built will go towards helping families in our communities who need it most, providing good quality housing that they can call their own.”

The local authority will be consulting on changes to the Local Plan – a legal document which sets out long-term planning – later in the year to require developers to deliver 50 per cent affordable homes.

These proposed new policies will apply to all property developments in the borough, not just large developments, to ensure property developers contribute towards our vision of a fairer borough for all.

Pictured top: The Atheledene Site in Garratt Lane (Picture: Wandsworth council)