Spades in the ground at Parsons North for affordable homes

Work starts this week to convert an underused car park into sixty new-builds just off the Edgware Road, providing new affordable homes.

The brand-new building will have 10 homes for social rent, 9 for intermediate rent and 41 private-sale homes.

This milestone has been marked at a ground-breaking ceremony held with contractor Osborne to celebrate the first spade in the ground to dig the foundations of Parsons North.

The scheme will be built over an existing car park, which is rarely in use. There will be fifty four new car parking spaces along with new retail space, in addition to the new homes.

Proceeds from the sale of the private homes will be re-invested into other projects in Westminster, such as landscaping improvements in the local area or new affordable housing schemes across the city.

It is expected the project will be completed by Spring 2021.

Cllr Rachael Robathan, Westminster City Council cabinet member for finance, property and regeneration, said: “This is another step towards our delivery of 1,850 affordable homes in Westminster by 2023.

“By taking an underused space and turning it into 60 homes, we are showing how innovation can help to solve London’s housing shortage.”

Councillors and others gathered for the groundbreaking on Wednesday 21st August, as the first spade was put in the ground for the scheme.

Planning permission was granted back in 2017, following a positive consultation with local residents.

The priority for the council is not just to build homes, but help increase investment in the community too.

Osborne, the council’s construction contractor on this project, are also playing their part – partnering up with the Westminster Employment Service to launch a local employment and skills support programme for residents of Hall Park Estate, a council-owned estate adjacent to the new development.

The council is also running ‘careers in construction’ workshops with Westminster Youth Services and gave two pupils from King Solomon Academy work experience.

Andrew Osborne, Chairman of Osborne, said:  “I am delighted that we have reached this significant milestone at the Parsons North Development. This scheme represents a substantial community investment for the borough and we are proud to be delivering this project in partnership with Westminster City Council. Osborne has a proven track record of working closely with our customers to deliver high-quality social, affordable and private residential and commercial spaces, which are thoughtfully-designed, well-constructed and focused on enhancing the local area and economy for local people.”