London borough strikes deal with developer to acquire 249 new homes for affordable rent
Barnet Council has signed a deal with developer Redrow to purchase 249 homes that will be used in the local authority’s affordable rent scheme.
The number of homes forms one-quarter of the council’s commitment to deliver 1,000 new affordable homes by 2026.
Part of the Colindale Gardens development, the properties include 42 three-bed homes and 40 that are wheelchair adaptable. The project will also include studios, one and two-bedroom properties.
The properties will be acquired through the council’s Housing Revenue Account, and managed by Barnet Homes.
Cllr Ross Houston, Barnet’s Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration, said: “As a council, we care for our people and that means providing high quality, affordable housing. We have seized this unique opportunity to take a big step forward in our commitment to deliver 1,000 council homes by 2026.
“It represents really good value for money and will make considerable savings on temporary accommodation costs the moment new tenants are able to move in this year.”
He said delivering the right homes “to meet diverse needs now and for future generations, that people can afford and are in the right places” was is a key priority and challenge for the council.
Brent is London’s second largest borough by population but has the sixth lowest stock of social housing.
“Many of our residents are deeply affected by the acute housing shortage and sky-high rents, so providing more genuinely affordable housing will help those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis,” Cllr Houston added.
Paul Muldowney, Managing Director of Redrow London Division, said: “At Redrow, our commitment to the local community and creating great places to live serves as the driving force behind our collaboration with Barnet Council. We believe that everyone should have access to secure, comfortable, and affordable housing, with this partnership marking a step towards making this vision into a tangible reality.
“We’re proud that Colindale Gardens offers high specification apartments surrounded by open green space yet close to excellent amenities and travel links to enjoy the best of the city. In providing 249 new homes for affordable rent, we look forward to seeing our homes become vibrant spaces which seek to provide not just housing, but the foundation for a thriving community.”
In March 2023, the council announced new plans to improve housing in Barnet including enhancing social housing tenants’ security by moving from fixed-term to lifetime tenancies, and committed to investing £2.2m per annum for the next 10 years to tackle damp and mould in the council’s housing stock.
Harry Rodd
