Around Ealing Winter 2015-16 | Page 45

HOUSING Places to live t just “It’s no and bricks about . We’re mortar able g desir creatin to live” places R JASB CILLO COUN D ANAN IR More than 100 new affordable homes are to be built by Ealing Council, while more housing estates have been earmarked for revamps, Andy Mahady reports. T he new homes will be built on council-owned sites in Northolt, Greenford and Perivale, and will include homes for affordable rent and low-cost home ownership: ■ Buckingham Road Estate, Perivale – up to 50 homes ■ Doncaster Drive, Northolt – up to 20 units ■ West End Gardens, Northolt – up to 20 units ■ Hotspur Road, Northolt – up to 10 units ■ Mansell Road, Greenford – two units (and refurbish former caretaker’s house). These homes will add to the more than 300 council new-builds that have already either been completed, or approved, by the council since 2011. Councillor Jasbir Anand, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for housing, employment and skills, said: “We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to help alleviate the housing shortage. Our innovative approach is increasing the availability of affordable housing in Ealing and delivering the homes we know are so desperately needed.” GREAT ESTATES Meanwhile, the council’s ongoing programme of redeveloping and improving its housing estates will continue with the High Lane estate in Hanwell. The council’s cabinet has agreed to set up a new resident selection group to help the council decide on a development partner to work on the scheme. Work is likely to start in 2017, with plans for 302 new homes to replace the existing estate, with the same amount of affordable housing as exists now, along with homes to replace those bought under the right-to-buy and further homes for market sale and rent. Councillor Anand, added: “Our new-build and regeneration projects are not just about bricks and mortar. We’re creating desirable places to live, with vibrant, mixed communities that are better connected to surrounding areas and contributing to an improved quality of life across the borough.” A further eight of the borough’s estates have been recommended for investigation with a view to delivering significant social and community improvements: Cowgate Road, UB6; Gurnell Grove, W13; Medlar Farm, UB5; Steyne Road, W3; Trinty Way, W3; Vale Estate, W3; Wales Farm Road, NW10; and Yeading Lane II, UB4. Although no firm decisions have yet been made, the possibility of building additional new homes by making better use of available land will be considered on some sites. Full resident consultation will take place before any changes are agreed. Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/housing around ealing Winter 2015/16 45