On Tuesday a ceremony was held on historic Peabody Avenue to celebrate reaching the highest point of a new development which will provide 56 affordable rented and shared ownership homes, as well as new community facilities and landscape improvements.
With its two long opposing rows, Peabody Avenue is one of housing association Peabody’s most distinctive Victorian estates.
The topping out ceremony was held on the top storey of a new building on the estate. Guests including Peabody Avenue residents, and Homes and Communities Agency and Westminster Council representatives signed a central beam in the new building.
In addition to new homes, the £10.5 million development, due to be completed in March 2011, will provide new community facilities including a community centre and residents’ association office, as well as landscape improvements to the whole estate.
Developed by Peabody and constructed by Mansell, the project has been designed by award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins in partnership with local residents, Westminster City Council and English Heritage.
Principal funders include the Homes and Communities Agency, which contributed ₤5.7 million to the project, and Westminster Council, which contributed ₤1.9 million.
Stephen Howlett, Peabody chief executive, said:
“For almost 150 years Peabody has been an agent for social and physical improvement in London. We’re continuing that tradition at Peabody Avenue with a development that will bring new life and opportunities to this historic estate, including 56 modern, energy efficient, lifetime homes.”
Rosemary Westbrook, Westminster Council's director of housing, said: “This is an exciting project which will really make a difference to this area. This development will regenerate the Peabody estate and provide much needed affordable homes for families and those who want to get a foot on the property ladder.”
56 new homes
The new six-storey building will contain 55 new homes, 37 of which will be affordable rented flats and maisonettes. The remaining 18 homes will be shared ownership flats. The refurbishment of the old estate office will provide an additional 3-bed family home at the other end of the Avenue.
The new homes will meet Code Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with features including super-insulation, energy efficient ventilation, water-saving appliances, and double and triple-glazing.
Revitalised open spaces
- Vibrant new green spaces incorporating trees, plantings and bird boxes will add colour and biodiversity to the estate.
- Children and young people will benefit from play areas linked to the new community facilities.
- Cycle racks will be increased, while car parking spaces on the estate, currently severely underused, will be reduced. Most spaces for prams will remain.
- The Victorian blocks’ door entry systems and external lighting have been upgraded.
New community facilities
- A community hall and residents’ association office will be provided, as well as facilities for the local authority community patrol.
- Facilities will also include a small caretakers’ office and storage facility. Two full time staff will take care of cleaning and environmental responsibilities.
For more information contact Peabody Media Relations Officer Neil Young on 020 7021 4210 or neil.young@peabody.org.uk.
