Wates Residential has been named as the development partner for Harrow Council’s regeneration programme worth an estimated £600m
Harrow Council’s cabinet approved the decision to select Wates as the development partner in the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP).
The partnership is the largest investment and development opportunity Harrow has seen and will create a thriving Wealdstone high street that generates apprenticeships, training and wealth in the borough.
Regeneration programme
The programme will transform the landscape of Wealdstone, building 1,500 new homes, including a significant number of affordable homes, a new civic centre, shops, offices, and a school, as well as public and green spaces.
The partnership will work with hundreds of young people at schools and colleges across the borough to provide school curriculum support and help raise aspirations.
It will invest in employment, skills and training initiatives including providing construction training for over 130 unemployed adults to help kick-start their careers; and deliver 220 apprenticeships.
‘Something to look forward to’
Councillor Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, said: “During these difficult times it is important to have something to look forward to – our ambitious plans will give families an affordable place to call home, create jobs for local people, build a new Council HQ, and re-energise Wealdstone town centre.
“Through our partnership with Wates we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of our residents and boost the local economy.
“Now is the right time to redevelop these three sites and build a better Harrow for our residents and businesses.”
Kate Ives, development director for Wates Residential, added: “Wates Residential is delighted to have been chosen as Harrow Council’s partner to help deliver its ambitious vision to Build a Better Harrow.
“We look forward to working with the council as we build more than 1,500 much-needed high-quality homes and a new civic centre at the heart of the local community.
“We believe that everyone deserves a great place to live and, as a fourth-generation family-owned business, we are committed to ensuring that our presence allows us to give something back to the places that we build in.
“As part of our partnership with the council, we will not only provide crucial additional housing, but also leave a positive legacy for the community through investment in skills, training, education and jobs to help local people thrive.”
The search for the private sector delivery partner was overseen by strategic real estate advisor Avison Young while international law firm, Pinsent Masons advised Harrow Council on the set up of the proposed partnership in the north-west London borough.
The Harrow Strategic Development Partnership is due to start in February 2021 with the first homes built in 2022.
