'This authority will once again become a premier house builder' – Council home building programme announced

Home building programme announced by Harrow Borough Council

5:00pm Wednesday 9th July 2014 in News By Bruce Thain

A major project to build more than 500 new homes and redevelop a forgotten housing estate has been announced.

The new homes will be the first new council homes built in the borough in 23 years and are part of the Harrow Borough Council's 'homes for Harrow' programme.

The heart of the project is the demolition and redevelopment of the Grange Farm Estate on the border of South Harrow and Harrow-on-the-Hill with the replacement of 240 ageing homes with 430 new properties.

Earlier this year the Harrow Times spoke to the estates residents association who said their estate had been forgotten about.

Proposals will go before the council cabinet next week and include the appointment of consultants to work up detailed plans for the estate's regeneration.

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Glen Hearnden said: As a teenager, I used to ride my bike around the borough in 1990 though I had no idea I was peddling past building sites that would be the last place for a council house to be built.

As lead councillor on housing I am truly shocked at the state of social housing this 23-year void has created.

With all sectors of the housing market overheating, rents rising beyond the point of affordability and homelessness on the increase, we are reaching a critical point with housing supply.

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'This authority will once again become a premier house builder' - Council home building programme announced