- Hewer Street development in north Kensington provides 10 homes for key workers serving Kensington and Chelsea community
- Site also has 10 properties for market rent and is first to be completed under Council’s new homes delivery programme
- Opening ceremony sees pupils from neighbouring primary school presenting artwork celebrating key workers
Key workers are moving into brand-new homes in the heart of the communities they serve following completion of the first properties under Kensington and Chelsea Council’s new homes delivery programme.
Workers from sectors including healthcare, teaching and the emergency services are now calling North Kensington home following the opening of 15-17 Hewer Street, which provides 10 affordable rented homes for key workers along with 10 properties at market rent.
The opening of the development, which boasts air-sourced heat pumps, improved insulation and fire safety measures including sprinklers, was marked by the presentation of artwork created by pupils from neighbouring Barlby Primary School celebrating the role of key workers to their community.
Cllr Sof McVeigh, Lead Member for Housing, said:
“Key workers are the lifeblood of our borough and I am proud that we are delivering homes for them right in the heart of the communities that they serve so well. I hope our new residents have many happy years in these wonderful new homes.
“Welcoming residents to Hewer Street is a significant milestone in our new homes programme, which is providing quality places to live and epitomising our commitment to becoming the best Council for a greener, safer and fairer borough.
“I’m already looking forward to welcoming residents to our next new homes site which is nearing completion, Kelso Cochrane House, which will provide 38 more much-needed homes for key workers and social tenants.”
Lilly Joseph, an NHS key worker and new resident of Hewer Street, said:
“I am delighted to have been considered to live at Hewer Street. This will be life-changing for me in many ways and allows me to set up home in the borough, providing me with a secure base to continue to serve the people of Kensington and Chelsea.”
Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon, said:
“It’s fantastic to play a part in helping deliver high quality new homes in the borough for key workers and support the council’s commitment to providing a greener borough by including some key sustainable elements.
“We are delighted that key workers can now call this development their home and are proud to have worked on this project.”
The Hewer Street development has been constructed by Willmott Dixon and retains the original building’s façade to match the character of the area. It includes a plaque recognising that the coffin of the Unknown Warrior was constructed on the site by John Nodes Funeral Service, a local firm which is still based in the area.
Kelso Cochrane House, on Kensal Road and Kelso Cochrane Lane, in north Kensington is in the final stages of development and will provide 28 social rent flats and 10 properties at intermediate rent for key workers, alongside a medical centre and supermarket for the local community.
For more information about Kensington and Chelsea’s new homes programme, visit the Council’s website.