A residential-led regeneration development in Ham, south west London, has received planning permission from Richmond Council.
The Hill Group and Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) propose building 452 new homes in addition to new community facilities and public green spaces on a site that currently houses several blocks of flats built in the 1960s. It is anticipated the plans will receive final approval in the new year after they have been assessed by the GLA.
The development partners say all current tenants of the existing affordable homes will be moved directly into their new homes, with a small number of tenants who have been given alternative housing while construction work takes place, also given the opportunity to move into new homes at the sites.
Andy Hill, group chief executive at The Hill Group said: “We are delighted to receive planning consent for the landmark regeneration project at Ham Close and we are looking forward to gaining final approval from the GLA in due course. We will be working with our partner RHP to finalise matters and move forward immediately to the construction stage.
“The vision for Ham Close is to create a vibrant and inclusive community for existing and future residents that incorporates sustainable, high-quality homes together with a range of new community facilities and impressive green spaces. We are looking forward to making that vision a reality.”
David Done, chief executive of RHP added: “It is fantastic news that the council has approved our plans to transform Ham Close. The regeneration will create a better place for our customers and other people that will come to live there in the future. Our customers will massively benefit from moving into fully-modern new homes alongside state-of-the-art facilities and the regeneration will bring so many additional advantages for the local community.
“I’m particularly proud that issues that matter most to our Ham Close residents and the wider community, including making sure the project is sustainable and creates job opportunities for local people, have been taken into account. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners who have worked with us and helping us reach this milestone.”
Councillor Jim Millard, spokesperson for housing at Richmond Council, said: “I am delighted that this landmark regeneration project has been approved. We can now move forward toward providing the new, healthier and easier-to-heat homes we all want to see for the current residents of Ham Close, with the many additional social benefits including the provision of many more additional genuinely affordable, sustainable homes, a fantastic new community centre, improved public realm, and connectivity.”
Chris Bath, partner at BPTW, which drew up the designs for Ham Close alongside local architecture practice WR-AP, Makers Lab and landscape consultant LUC, said: “Our aim for Ham Close was always to place residents and community at the heart of the masterplan to create an integrated and attractive place to live.
“Well-designed homes are vital, but so are the other things that go into successful placemaking including welcoming community buildings, landscaping and community gardening spaces, and ensuring the development relates to its wider surroundings. We are delighted that approach has been supported with planning consent.”
