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London council approves estate regeneration scheme
Islington Council has approved Newlon Housing Trust’s plans to fully refurbish inter-war blocks on an estate with hundreds of homes.
Councillors at the north London borough have given the go-ahead to the plans that will see 275 homes on the Old Barnsbury Estate, which was built in the 1930s, fitted with replacement kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors.
Newlon, which manages more than 8,300 homes in London, will also oversee renovation and improvements to brickwork, insulation and roofs on the estate, as well as delivering planting and landscaping.
The green light for the refurbishment comes off the back of a decision enabling the redevelopment of the post-war New Barnsbury Estate at the same location.
At the end of November, Islington Council’s planning committee approved proposals to demolish New Barnsbury’s 371 homes and replace them with 914 new ones.
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In March, Newlon announced it would be pursuing the twin-track approach for the estate’s two segments after residents were balloted.
In all, 369 residents (73% of those who voted) supported the housing association’s proposals to refurbish Old Barnsbury and redevelop the more recent homes, which were built in the 1950s and 1970s.
Turnout for the ballot was 79.2%, with 506 residents casting a vote altogether.
Since 2018, resident ballots have been required for all regeneration schemes that receive funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Newlon has been working with residents for three years on the transformation scheme, hosting workshops, drop-ins, summer fun days and site tours to other developments, the landlord said, to help ensure the refurbished homes and new shared green spaces meet their needs.
The first New Barnsbury redevelopment phase will see 401 homes constructed across seven buildings, which range from three to 11 storeys and are up to 36 metres tall. A further 513 are expected to follow in a second phase, which has been granted outline permission.
The project will be delivered via a 50:50 joint venture with London developer Mount Anvil, which aims to begin construction work in March.
The redevelopment is expected to take a decade, with all existing Newlon residents receiving a new home.
Refurbishment works to the Old Barnsbury blocks are due to start in mid-2023.
Mike Hinch, chief executive or Newlon, said: “We are excited that the proposals we have developed in consultation with our residents to refurbish and improve homes on the Old Barnsbury Estate have been approved and that we can now move ahead with the transformation of the whole estate.”
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