Green light for another 20 new council homes

Southwark Council has approved planning permission to build 20 new council homes on the Astley Estate.

The council has worked closely with local residents to design the look and feel of the new homes and improve the surrounding area.

The development on the Astley Estate, just off Old Kent Road, will be an eight-storey block and will replace the garages that are currently on the site.

The building has been carefully designed to improve the pedestrian routes through the estate. The council will also carry out other improvements, such as transforming the courtyards into social spaces which residents can enjoy.

The building will use green energy systems in line with the council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency. There will be air source heat pumps on the roof to provide heating and hot water as well as solar thermal panels and mechanical ventilation units.

Southwark Council has one of the most ambitious council homes building programmes in London, aiming to deliver or start construction on 2,500 new council homes by May 2022.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness, said;

“I’m delighted that this development has been approved which will enable us to provide another 20 desperately-needed new homes for our residents. These homes will be built to the highest standards and will improve the lives of those living in the areas by enhancing shared outside spaces – something we know is a top priority for our residents.”

In line with the council’s local lettings policy, the new homes will be offered to local tenants in housing need who live in the immediate area. This provides enormous benefits for the local community as residents can continue living close to friends, family and the services they currently use. The remaining homes will be allocated to others on the council’s housing waiting list.

Construction works are expected to start in spring 2022 and are expected to finish in winter 2023.