07 November 2023
Summary:Groundbreaking ceremony for regeneration scheme creating 149 more affordable homes in Barnet.
Last week, along with our development partners, award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, we officially broke ground at the second phase of our estate improvement and regeneration of the Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate in Hendon.
This is the first scheme to have been approved by a resident ballot under guidance set out by the Mayor of London. Following a public consultation, a ballot was held in 2018, with our plans receiving 75% approval from residents.
The feedback from the consultation has been incorporated into the plans for the new Westhorpe Gardens, which includes green spaces with 92 mature trees retained, community gardens and allotments, later living accommodation, play areas, pedestrian friendly design, air source heat pumps, solar energy, EV charging, and energy-efficient homes.
When completed in 2026, the scheme will not only have replaced and upgraded all 102 social rent homes originally on the site, it will also provide an additional 149 affordable properties for the local community.
Present at the ceremony were: Geeta Nanda, Chief Executive at MTVH, Guy Burnett, Executive Director of Development at MTVH, Guy Palmer, Director of Regeneration at MTVH, Councillor Joshua Conway for Hendon Ward, Michael Turner, Regional Director at Hill, Nick Gardner, Project Manager at Hill, and several other members of the project team.
Geeta Nanda, OBE, Chief Executive at MTVH, said: “It’s wonderful to mark the start of Phase 2 of this scheme and to reflect on the benefits that Phase 1 is already bringing to returning residents. Westhorpe is a great example of how partnership working can create an affordable, multi-generational, energy efficient, and nature rich community from where people can live well and thrive.”
Michael Turner, Regional Director of The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to officially break ground for the second phase of Westhorpe Gardens with our partners at MTVH and Barnet Council. Following the successful completion of phase one, where residents have now returned to enjoy living in their new much-improved energy-efficient homes, we’re excited to begin this next phase and further continue the delivery of this extensive regeneration project.”
Councillor Joshua Conway, Hendon Ward, said: “Westhorpe not only increases the supply of affordable homes in Hendon, it also saves residents money on their energy bills through energy efficient construction and heating, promotes good health through its green spaces, and will promote an even stronger and inclusive community when fully built out in the coming years.
The groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the scheme follows the successful completion of Phase 1, which has seen 79 households return to their new homes having been temporarily housed during demolition and construction. These new homes benefit from EPC rating B with high-performance windows, wall insulation levels above Building Regulation requirements, communal heating via air source heat pumps, and maximised natural shading for cooling. These energy efficiency improvements will provide residents with significant energy bill savings compared to the original EPC D or E-rated properties on site.