Westminster City Council has set up a new wholly owned development company to deliver housing of all tenures across London.
The council has launched Westminster Builds with a target to develop 2,000 homes during the next five years.
The business is being led by managing director Barbara Brownlee, the council’s former executive director of growth, planning and housing. It is chaired by Jacqui Wilkinson, the deputy cabinet member for finance, property and regeneration.
Westminster has launched the company to support community-led regeneration across the London borough, boost affordable housing delivery and also ensure that it can retain overall control of its assets.
Westminster Build’s first scheme will be the £350m Ebury Estate redevelopment (pictured), where Westminster seeks to deliver 750 homes, backed by £186.7m in council finance.
The scheme will not be supported by Greater London Authority grant funding, due to the mayor’s requirement for resident balloting, over which Westminster and City Hall have previously locked horns. The business has a number of developments and more in the pipeline.
Westminster Council leader Rachel Robathan said: “This will be of huge benefit to our residents by enabling us to build more affordable housing.”
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