I strongly welcome Westminster Council’s decision to go ahead with building 750 new homes as part of its Ebury Bridge estate development. At least 342 of these will be affordable housing. The decision to approve plans, taken by the council’s cabinet in July, makes the Pimlico estate home to the largest single delivery of new council homes in the heart of London for over half a century. I’ve campaigned for more social housing to be built in Churchill ward and this proposal will not only fully replace the existing 198 social rented homes but provide up to 150 additional affordable, family-sized homes (with around 90 social rented and 60 intermediate-rented homes).
All of the key pledges which Churchill Conservatives campaigned on since 2016 are now fully adopted as Council’s policy on Ebury Bridge:
- A right of return for residents is guaranteed for all secure tenants and resident leaseholders
- There will be a full replacement of all council homes. In addition, 35% of any new homes provided will be affordable for social and intermediate rent.
- Ebury Bridge will remain a council-owned estate.
- Addressing overcrowding is a top priority. Good local shopping that serves local communities is central to any scheme.
- Residents will be at the heart of developing a viable new scheme.
For more information, please visit: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/ebury-bridge-regeneration.
I firmly believe that the only way to address pressing housing needs in Churchill ward and across the City is to build more homes and to do so in a consistent and sustainable way. We’re on track to deliver on our commitment to build 1850 new affordable homes by 2023 and now there is potential for 2000 more homes, following housing policy announcements by the Prime Minister Theresa May at the Conservative Party conference in September. We must take full advantage of these opportunities and I will work tirelessly to secure maximum investment in affordable housing in my ward and across Westminster.
