“Our new home will be a great start for me and my child,” said Carrina Edwards, who has moved into a freshly completed council home in Greenford.
Carrina and her family are just one of many of the local households who are now moving into new homes, after the completion of the latest phase of the redevelopment of the Golf Links estate.
This has seen 143 modern new homes added at Golf Links, including 104 for council tenants to rent at London Affordable Rent and social rent.
More than just a home
Council leader Peter Mason said: “Building more affordable homes benefits all of us. When we have the solid foundation of a home, we’re more likely to be healthy, have jobs, and take a full part in our communities.
“We are transforming the estate into a more welcoming, accessible place to live, where families can thrive. Building new affordable homes is the best solution to the housing crisis, and the work we’re doing at Golf Links and many other sites around our 7 towns are great examples of this.”
The completion comes hot on the heels of other new homes at Northolt Grange, which started to be let to their new tenants 2 weeks ago. Overall, almost 600 new council homes will be completed and ready for local families to move in by the end of 2026.
A transformed estate
The new properties at Golf Links are the latest built in a long-running regeneration programme at the estate, which first began in 2013. This latest completion is a big milestone in transforming the area.
The 3 blocks, made up of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom flats, boast far better living facilities than the old homes that used to be at the estate. And 14 of the properties have been specifically designed to meet the needs of wheelchair users.
People living there will also be able to enjoy better outdoor areas, including walking and cycling routes, new trees and plants, and a play area – all designed to help create a more connected neighbourhood.
With the help of funding from Section 106 agreements – legally binding planning obligations that mean that housing developments have to contribute to the cost of new local facilities – the estate will also get new community facilities including a new play area.
Overall, almost £27million in Section 106 contributions was invested across the borough during the 2022-2026 council term, helping to fund essential community infrastructure like schools, GP surgeries, and highways improvements.
‘A great start for me and my child’
Luke (pictured), along with his partner and 2 children, will be moving into a new 2-bed home. He said: “When we viewed the flat, we could see great potential with natural light, open plan layout, and the balcony. The playground will be perfect for the children. We are excited – the move should provide a quieter and more comfortable environment for us.”
Carrina will also soon move into her new 2-bed home with her child.
“I like that me and my child can have separate rooms and designated quiet zones allow us to work, study, play, and recharge without disturbing each other,” she said. “It has a lovely play area outside as well as many parks around the area that are great for kids.
“There are lots of facilities local to the flats including bus and train stops, schools, restaurants, and supermarkets with a good range of places to choose from. Our new home will be a great start for me and my child, and we’ll hopefully also gain some great friendships too within the community.”
Meeting housing needs
The completion of these homes comes at a crucial time, with demand for affordable housing in the borough continuing to rise and more than 6,000 local people on the waiting list for a council home.
The Golf Links development contributes to the council’s wider affordable homebuilding programme. In recent years, the council has built thousands of new homes which cost significantly less to rent than privately rented properties, offering greater stability and security for residents.
The homes were built by Hill Partnerships and designed by Stephen Taylor Architects. The homes are built to Passivhaus standards, which creates super-insulated homes that can stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer – without needing central heating. This means low bills, but high comfort.
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, added: “We believe all residents deserve a safe, affordable home, and this development delivers just that. However, with thousands more local people still waiting for a home they can afford, we know we cannot stop here. We are redoubling our efforts to build the high-quality, affordable homes the borough needs.”
