Approval follows tussle with Ealing council over affordable contribution
Peabody and Mount Anvil have been given the green light to progress with the final phase of a 1,345-home estate regeneration project in west London.
The third phase of the Friary Park scheme will see 693 homes delivered in Acton, after updated proposals for the development were approved by Ealing Council.
The three-phase regeneration scheme replaces 225 social rent dwellings and five market homes that previously occupied the site.
Outline approval for this phase of the scheme had previously been granted in 2020 and 2023, with the latter version granting permission for 576 new homes, 133 of which would have been affordable.
Updated proposals submitted last year sought to increase the maximum height of the scheme from 22 to 24 storeys and add 117 more homes, without any additional affordable contribution.
A viability assessment submitted by DS2 on behalf of the applicant said that the masterplan scheme would generate a deficit of £30m and that therefore no additional affordable housing could be viably provided.
However, a separate review conducted by BPS on behalf of the council concluded a surplus of £18.5m for the masterplan scheme.
After discussions between the applicant, the council and their respective representatives, a figure of £4.2m surplus was agreed upon, and the applicant amended its proposals to incorporate additional social rented homes in place of 15 market sale units.
It means the third phase will now provide a total of 148 affordable homes, of which 37 are to be delivered for social rent, 31 of which will be London Affordable rent and 80 shared ownership.
The approval follows the completion of 135 affordable homes in the first phase, while phase two is still on site. Across the three phases, a total of 470 affordable homes are planned.
Of these, 237 will be social rent, 78 will be London Affordable Rent, and 140 will be shared ownership.
Proposals for Friary Park, designed by HTA Design, include a 450 sq m community centre, a community square, and a 5,000 sq m play area.
It will also feature an outdoor gym, a cycle hub, a climbing wall, a basketball court, a community kitchen and allotments for gardeners.
More than a third of the six-acre development will be landscaped green space, which has been designed in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew.
“Friary Park has already come a long way, and this decision from Ealing Council is another big step forward,” said Phil Jenkins, chief investment officer at Peabody, which is responsible for more than 109,000 homes.
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“With new social homes, a fantastic community centre, and big improvements to the estate, it’s clear the regeneration is having a positive impact – not just for existing residents but for the wider community too.”
Marcus Bate, partnerships, planning, communities and sustainability director at Mount Anvil, added: “Ealing Council’s approval of our third and final planning application for Friary Park is the latest milestone for our multi-scheme, repeat partnership with Peabody.
“I couldn’t be more delighted for Friary Park’s residents - many of whom I know personally and who are hugely excited for these proposals to become reality.”
Peabody and Mount Anvil’s joint venture pipeline also includes the 266-home Watermeadow Court estate scheme, the 327-home Three Waters scheme in Bromley-by-Bow and the 307-home One Clapham scheme on the St Johns Hill estate.
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