After three years of consultations Westminster City Council’s planning sub-committee has approved the plans to build 52 new high-quality, council homes in Churchill Gardens. Thirty-four one-bedroom social-rent community supported dwellings will be built to replace the existing 31 poor-quality bedsits in Darwin House.
In addition, 18 new homes for intermediate rent will be built on the site of the former Balmoral Castle pub (currently in scaffolding) and the nearby garages. These will be aimed at working households on incomes of between £32,000 and £60,000 pa who do not qualify for social rent but are unable to afford market value flats in the area.
Following lobbying by Cllr Murad Gassanly, a special lettings plan was secured ensuring new homes will be prioritised for those living locally. The development will also provide new green spaces for the whole of Churchill Gardens. Cllr Gassanly spoke at the sub-committee hearing along with George Wood, the Darwin House residents’ representative who has long campaigned for the new development.
It’s unfortunate that the local Labour councillor spoke against the proposals and lodged an unsuccessful objection. However, Pimlico Conservatives are committed to delivering on our housing targets and improving quality of life for all our residents. With the planning permission granted we can now proceed with the building works. Churchill Gardens shall grow!
