A former gravel pit and landfill site in Dagenham is being transformed into a new £78.4 million scheme which will deliver hundreds of new homes on public land released by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Building work is now under way to create the new Lymington Fields housing development, which is expected to provide 418 new homes for Londoners by 2019 in partnership with developer Lovell and affordable housing provider Home Group.
The innovative scheme in Chadwell Heath will deliver 116 homes for affordable rent and 43 homes for shared ownership through Home Group, as part of the Mayor’s First Steps programme, as well as 259 homes for private sale by Lovell. Designed by architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, the homes are a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom flats.
Lymington Fields site was among the first of 600 hectares of land – the size of 210 football pitches - the Mayor has brought forward for the development of new and much needed homes for Londoners since he took on the role in May 2012.
The Deputy Mayor for Housing and Land, Richard Blakeway took part in a ground breaking ceremony at the official launch of the scheme today.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “This is one of the largest regeneration projects ever seen in Dagenham and will transform this site into hundreds of much needed new low cost homes. This former gravel pit is part of thousands of acres of land I’m releasing to double the number of homes being built for hardworking Londoners and ease demand for more good quality homes. ”
Lovell regional director Peter Taylor said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Mayor of London, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and Home Group to create this vibrant new neighbourhood. Its mix of modern and well -designed open market and affordable homes arranged around attractive open spaces will create a modern and exciting community where people are proud to live. As well as meeting the pressing need for quality homes for individuals and families, it will also bring new jobs and training opportunities, ensuring a lasting legacy of benefits locally.” Lovell will create a number of apprentice training places through the scheme as well as new jobs.
Sean Egan, Home Group director of new ventures, said: “We’re delighted the Deputy Mayor has launched this landmark development. Freeing up surplus public sector land is one easy way in which to increase the number of affordable homes which are available to the people of London and we applaud the Mayor for this move. Home Group and Lovell have a strong track record of partnership and we’re delighted to be working again to build homes of all tenures which will help to create thriving new neighbourhoods which contribute to local communities and demonstrate our commitment to a significant development programme in London.”
The first phase of development on the 8.7 hectare brownfield site will create 83 homes for private sale by Lovell with a sales and marketing suite set to open by summer 2014. There will also be 22 homes for affordable rent and 20 shared ownership properties, both of which will be available through Home Group. The first homes are expected to be completed later this year.
The second phase of development of approximately 293 homes is set to start in 2015. All homes at Lymington Fields will meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes incorporating a range of energy efficiency measures to reduce bills for residents.
Notes to editors
- For images of the ground breaking event email [email protected]
- An earlier phase of 193 new homes on an adjacent site was completed by Metropolitan Housing Trust in 2012
- The Mayor of London, who inherited over 600 hectares of land as a result of the Localism Act in April 2012, is currently one of the largest owners of public land in London. He is determined to bring more public land, like this site, forward for development. Other public sites which are being developed under the Mayor include: Trenchard House in Soho, Cane Hill in Croydon, St Clements and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Tower Hamlets, Catford Greyhound Stadium in Lewisham, and Greenwich Square in Greenwich.
- Lovell is a leading provider of affordable housing. The company has expertise in new-build, regeneration, refurbishment as well as providing a full responsive and planned repairs and maintenance service. With offices in England, Scotland and Wales, Lovell offers a unique one-stop shop of services with the ability to build homes, offer a full menu of tenure options and maintenance for life. Lovell is part of Morgan Sindall Group plc, a leading UK construction and regeneration group with revenue of over £2 billion and which operates through five divisions of construction and infrastructure, fit out, affordable housing, urban regeneration and investments.
- Home Group is one of the UK’s largest providers of high quality housing and supported housing services and products. Home Group is a social enterprise and a charity (a registered Industrial & Provident Society) with a turnover of £328m.Our mission is “to help our customers and clients to open doors to new opportunities and healthy lives.” We provide general needs housing and supported housing services targeted towards helping some of society’s most vulnerable people take control of their own lives. We:house more than 120,000 people a year in 55,000 homes across 200 local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales. work with almost 30,000 vulnerable people through 500+ supported housing, justice and health services each year. Care and Support services focus on housing related support, criminal justice and health services.