The first phase of a major regeneration programme in Kilburn has been completed with Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, handing over 153 new homes to housing association L&Q.
The completion of Watling Place, a £30 million scheme, which is part of the Kilburn Wells development on Albert Road, marks a significant milestone in Brent Council’s master plan for the South Kilburn Estate. The council aims to provide up to 1,100 new high-quality homes to help regenerate the local area.
The scheme, developed by L&Q and its construction partner Denne, comprises new one, two, three and four bedroom apartments in eight buildings. Of these, 113 are available for affordable rent, 19 for shared ownership and 21 for outright sale.
The reinforced concrete framed buildings are between five and 11 storeys and are clad in a mixture of render, aluminium panelling and an innovative ceramic tile rainscreen from Aliva UK.
This was the first time the ceramic rainscreen had been used on a residential project in the UK. The advantage of these ceramic tiles is that they do not absorb any moisture (unlike terracotta tiles which absorb small amounts), which means the finish does not take on a damp look, nor is it prone to lichen growth – so it looks cleaner and sharper for longer.
Part of the master plan for Brent is to provide hot water and heating via a district heating system, once all of the regeneration works are complete. Until such time, efficient communal boilers have been installed. The thermally-efficient buildings, which feature green roofs and solar panels, already meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and will meet Level 4 once the district heating system comes online.
Community engagement was important throughout the development, with local residents widely consulted on plans and a skills centre established by Denne during construction to provide job opportunities, work experience and training. Twenty-nine local people were helped into employment and over 43 received training to get their CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards.
Graham Brown, Managing Director of Denne, said: “We are very proud of our work at Watling Place and are privileged and delighted to deliver these high-quality homes ahead of schedule, which has been a fantastic team effort. The skills centre established during the project has created real training and employment opportunities, helping to bring long-term economic benefits to Brent.”
Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Mohammed Butt, said: “I am delighted to be celebrating the completion of the first phase of this fantastic scheme, which is already transforming South Kilburn and having a really positive impact on local people’s lives. Regeneration gives people better quality homes and brings more opportunities and jobs into the area. That is why it is front and centre of everything we do in Brent.
“I would like to pay tribute to our partners the L&Q Group and Denne for their vision in getting us this far in the project. I would also like to say a special thank you to the residents of South Kilburn and the surrounding areas for their continued support of the on-going development of the area.”
Jerome Geoghegan, L&Q’s Group Director of Development and Sales, said: “L&Q is extremely proud of Watling Place – it has been an exciting project to work on with the involvement of local residents and our partners, London Borough of Brent and Denne. We now have a fantastic development in an area of huge potential, offering residents and house-hunters a range of high quality homes for affordable rent, shared home ownership and outright sale. These homes are already proving popular with both residents and house hunters.”
L&Q, in partnership with Denne, is also developing Bourne Place as part of the Kilburn Wells scheme and Brent’s master plan for the area. The project development is due for completion in 2013, providing 134 homes including 75 for affordable rent, 29 for shared ownership and 30 for outright sale.