Laying the foundations for a new generation of council housing in Islington

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

Homes for Islington and Islington Council celebrated a significant milestone with the laying of the foundation stone at the new council housing being built at Boleyn Road.

Islington Council is one of the first local authorities in London to start building new council housing again.

10 new low rise family-sized homes will be built on the site of the old Boleyn Road Area Housing Office in N16 which was demolished earlier this year, following approval at the East Area Planning Committee on 24 January.

The last council housing to be built in Islington was 25 years ago in Finsbury. In recent years most affordable housing has been built by housing associations and through financial contributions negotiated as part of planning permissions.

Construction work is being carried out by Mansell’s and the project is being supervised by Homes for Islington, who will manage the new housing when it is built. The project is funded by Islington Council.

The new buildings are designed to a high environmental specification with eco-friendly and energy saving features.

The work should be completed by summer 2009.

Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council who unveiled the foundation stone said: "Today's ceremony is good news for overcrowded families in Islington. The construction of our first new council housing for a generation heralds a new era in social home building.

"Islington Council is doing more than many boroughs to meet the demand for affordable housing. Last year we worked with developers, housing associations and our housing management partner Homes for Islington to provide over 400 affordable homes to borough residents.

"With the credit crunch house building has been halted across the country. This makes even more important our decision to start building council houses."

Adam Borrie, Chair of HFI’s Board of Directors said: “This is an exciting new step for social housing in Islington. This new housing will be the first in a new generation of Council homes and they will set new standards in environmental standards.

“We are committed to working with the Council to reduce waiting lists and to set a high standard for Council housing in the borough. HFI are very excited to be involved in this project which is hopefully the first in many new developments.”