Thousands of residents in central London have given the green light to a multi-million pound regeneration program in a recent vote held in Westminster. The gross development value of the two schemes is calculated at £212 million (approx. €247 mln).
78.4% of residents who voted in the Ebury Bridge Estate in Pimlico and 87.5% in the Church Street area of Marylebone voted in favor of the plans. The regeneration program will see over 1,000 new homes built in Westminster to help address overcrowding and lack of housing, plus also deliver new jobs, enterprise and public realm improvements.
Under the plans at Church Street, the market will be upgraded, which will include a new covered market square on ‘Salisbury Street Triangle’, and 300 new jobs and 100 apprenticeships will be created.
There will also be a new landmark community and health center on Lisson Grove, a new play and sports facility on Luton Street, streetscape and green area improvements throughout the area and a new area-wide heating system to reduce residents’ energy bills.
The Ebury Bridge Estate will see existing housing blocks renovated or rebuilt and substantial improvements to the open spaces. There will be more homes for Westminster as new properties, which are environmentally sustainable, will be created, and include private open space for every home on the estate.
New retail and community units will be created on Ebury Bridge Road and a new children’s playground will also be installed. A new, enlarged green space will also be created and a program of landscaping and public realm improvement work will take place across the estate.
Cllr Jonathan Glanz, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I am delighted with the incredibly positive outcomes of these votes, which is a result of the council working incredibly hard alongside residents over a number of years to develop plans which will deliver sustainable regeneration.
“Their emphatic approval of these plans mean that work can now begin on building new homes for those on housing lists, but also on creating better homes for existing residents, building new community facilities, and improving open spaces and the public realm of the area, helping to improve lives in Westminster.
“This project is a real example of local people taking responsibility for shaping their communities, and we will continue to work with residents throughout our regeneration program.
“I am looking forward to seeing residents in other renewal areas of Westminster have their say on our plans for regeneration later this year.”
Source: Westminster City Council
