GREEN LIGHT FOR 308 NEW HOMES IN £600M SOUTH ACTON ESTATE REGENERATION

The transformation of South Acton in West London received an extra boost last week when planning permission was granted for Phase 6 to create 308 new homes, extensive community facilities and public open space as part of the £600m Acton Gardens development.

Joint venture partners Countryside and L&Q, are spearheading the dramatic transformation of the neighbourhood and delivering one of the largest estate regeneration projects in Britain, replacing 1,800 properties on the South Acton Estate with a new urban village of over 2,500 new homes - with 39,400 sq ft of social and community facilities at its heart.

Mike Woolliscroft, Operations Director for Countryside’s Partnerships division, said: “Planning consent for Phase 6 is an extremely exciting and important milestone for the Acton Gardens masterplan. The creation of a new supermarket, a doctors, dentist, as well as fantastic community and resident facilities will transform the hub of the estate. This will further enhance Acton Gardens which is already a highly desirable place to live, with beautifully landscaped surroundings and green open spaces.”

Jerome Geoghegan, Group Director of Development and Sales for L&Q said: “We’re delighted that the London Borough of Ealing have given the go ahead for this next phase which will deliver further high quality new housing with real benefits for the local community and an important step forward towards the completion of this ambitious masterplan.”

The go-ahead has been given for the latest £80 million phase of the development, designed by renowned architects Levitt Bernstein. This will deliver a mix of stylishly designed homes, including 138 affordable rent and intermediate, and 170 for private sale. A striking new community centre and youth club, with health and nursery facilities, office space, a café and retail space, will provide a focus for the new community.

Open spaces with an impressive water feature, public art and an urban park with mature trees retained, a new children’s play area, and podium courtyards, will also be created. Work will start later this year, with the first buildings and community space expected completion in Autumn 2018.

The Acton Gardens masterplan comprises 21 phases. Two phases have been delivered so far, with 273 new award-winning homes comprising houses, maisonettes and apartments, located on traditional-style streets. Work is currently underway on site on the next three phases to deliver 618 homes.

The homes are designed to encourage sustainable living with features such as green roofs, solar panels and an energy centre to supply some of the development's heat and power. Acton Gardens has excellent transport links, just minutes from Acton Town underground and South Acton overground. A proposed new bus route and street network will link up with Acton and Chiswick.

Countryside and L&Q have established the Community Chest, a community fund which distributes £50,000 a year to local groups and activities. So far, the Community Chest has distributed over £250,000 to 68 local projects. The fund is in addition to the Section 106 Agreement on the development, which secures a Developer financial contribution of £2.6m to support local services and infrastructure as well as the delivery of affordable housing.

For more information about the new homes at Acton Gardens, please telephone 020 8993 6923 or visit www.actongardens.co.uk

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