More much-needed housing will soon be a reality in Wembley following an agreement between Wates and Brent Council to develop 304 new homes.
The deal, which was signed this week by the residential division of the leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company, will see a mixture of affordable homes and homes for private sale built across two sites.
Of these, 250 homes will be delivered on land east of Cecil Avenue, which had previously been the site of Copland School. The plan is for a high-quality, mixed-tenure courtyard development of five to nine storeys with one-bed, two-bed, three-bed and four-bed apartments and maisonettes. The new development will also house commercial units and community floorspace at street level.
Opposite this site at Ujima House, another 54 homes will be built, along with workspace units, including a roadside café.
A total of 152 homes will be made available for private sale on the Cecil Avenue site. The other 152 properties on both Cecil Avenue and Ujima House will be a mixture of affordable homes for council tenants and people on middle incomes.
Councillor Shama Tatler, cabinet member for regeneration, planning, and growth, said:
“This is fantastic news for residents of this up-and-coming area. The vision is to revitalise the eastern end of the High Road of the town centre, linking the established Wembley Central to the new Wembley Park neighbourhood emerging around the stadium.”
Designated and partly funded by the Mayor of London, the Wembley Housing Zone aims to create new homes and jobs, new leisure, retail and workspaces, public realm improvements and increased accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.
Nick Williams, regional managing director, Wates Residential, said:
“Our guiding principle is that everyone deserves a great place to live, and these modern new homes will be warm, comfortable and safe to live in. Not only that but we will be working with the local community to deliver these mixed-tenure homes. This means employing the services of local businesses and people along the way to help regenerate the area and inspire a new community.”
The new development agreement represents another collaboration between Brent Council and Wates. The two organisations are currently working together to create 99 new council homes at Church End, at the same time investing in the local community with 16 apprenticeships and at least 20 work placements for local people. They have also recently delivered 149 homes at Knowles House and Anansi House.