Plans for an exciting housing-led regeneration project in Ham, South-West London by leading housebuilder The Hill Group and London housing provider Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) have been approved. Richmond Council’s planning committee approved the proposals for Ham Close, which include 452 new homes, alongside new community facilities and a range of public green spaces. The final approval is expected in the new year once it has been assessed by the GLA.

The redevelopment of Ham Close is a landmark project for the area and will replace several outdated blocks of flats built in the 1960s with a range of high-quality new homes. All current tenants of the existing affordable homes will be moving directly into their new home, except for a small number of tenants who’ve been provided alternative housing whilst the development happens before having the opportunity to return to their new homes. There will also be a range of additional affordable and private sale homes, all carefully designed to high standards of energy efficiency. Approximately 49% of the homes will be affordable, for rent, London Living Rent and Shared Ownership, and 10% will be wheelchair accessible. The new neighbourhood will also include a community centre, a new building for community workshop Richmond MakerLabs, and a park with play spaces.

This outcome is the result of several years’ work between Richmond Council and RHP, the largest provider of affordable housing in the borough, to secure the regeneration of the estate. Working closely with the local community, the focus has been on creating a sustainable new development that meets current and future local housing needs. The raft of benefits generated by the regeneration of Ham Close also includes a £2m social impact fund, opportunities for apprenticeships and construction jobs for local residents, and a 23% net biodiversity gain for the site.

Andy Hill, group chief executive at The Hill Group said:

“We are delighted to receive planning consent for the landmark regeneration project at Ham Close and we are looking forward to gaining final approval from the GLA in due course. We will be working with our partner RHP to finalise matters and move forward immediately to the construction stage. The vision for Ham Close is to create a vibrant and inclusive community for existing and future residents that incorporates sustainable, high-quality homes together with a range of new community facilities and impressive green spaces. We are looking forward to making that vision a reality.”

David Done, chief executive of RHP said:

“It is fantastic news that the council has approved our plans to transform Ham Close. The regeneration will create a better place for our customers and other people that will come to live there in the future. Our customers will massively benefit from moving into fully-modern new homes alongside state-of-the-art facilities and the regeneration will bring so many additional advantages for the local community. I’m particularly proud that issues that matter most to our Ham Close residents and the wider community, including making sure the project is sustainable and creates job opportunities for local people, have been taken into account. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners who have worked with us and helping us reach this milestone.”

Councillor Jim Millard, spokesperson for housing, Richmond Council adds:

“I am delighted that this landmark regeneration project has been approved. We can now move forward toward providing the new, healthier and easier-to-heat homes we all want to see for the current residents of Ham Close, with the many additional social benefits including the provision of many more additional genuinely affordable, sustainable homes, a fantastic new community centre, improved public realm, and connectivity.”

The designs for Ham Close were developed by architect practice BPTW. They worked closely with local architecture practice WR-AP, which designed the community centre, Makers Lab, and landscape consultant LUC.

Chris Bath, partner at BPTW comments:

“Our aim for Ham Close was always to place residents and community at the heart of the masterplan to create an integrated and attractive place to live. Well-designed homes are vital, but so are the other things that go into successful placemaking including welcoming community buildings, landscaping and community gardening spaces, and ensuring the development relates to its wider surroundings. We are delighted that approach has been supported with planning consent.”