Ealing Council has granted planning permission for a 15 storey women’s-only tower block, the first of its kind in the UK
Brook House, a women’s only social housing estate in Acton, London, has recently secured planning permission for a new 15 storey tower to replace the existing building.
The plans will replace the existing 39 flats with 102 “100% social rent affordable flats for single women”. The plans aim to particularly support those who face inequality, abuse and disadvantages, especially in the housing market.
The application is being led by L&Q in partnership with Women’s Pioneer Housing, a specialised housing association founded in 1920 by suffragists.
The development will replace the ninety-year old existing building
Located on Gunnersbury Lane opposite Acton Town underground station, the current building was originally built in the 1930s, with further blocks added in the ’70s.
Many of the buildings are nearing the end of their build-life and are not suitable for refurbishment.
Work on the UK’s first women’s only tower block is expected to begin this summer.
Working with smaller developers to deliver affordable housing
The scheme is brought forward with support from L&Q, through the Build London Partnership scheme (BLP).
Through the BLP, L&Q partners with smaller or specialised housing associations to work in collaboration to develop small, disused, infill and challenging sites across the capital.
This helps unlock more sites in London and deliver much needed affordable and social housing, often for hard-to-reach communities.
A women’s only tower block will meet the need for a safer environment
Tenants must be single women; the only men allowed to reside in the building will be partners of female tenants and adult children who stand to inherit the property.
Existing tenants have been invited to return once the development is complete, though concerns have been raised about those whose households are now longer eligible.
The design of the scheme was also commended by the planning committee, as all flats have dual aspect and a balcony.
The proposal’s landscape strategy also seeks to provide a range of recreational spaces for residents while enhancing biodiversity and greening. Greater lighting in the surrounding area is being explored as a way of boosting safety.
There is a significant demand for housing specifically for older single women– especially amongst those who have suffered from domestic abuse or minority ethnicity women affected by the intersectional pay gap.
In Ealing alone there are over 600 single women on the social housing waiting list.
Supporting inclusive and diverse communities
Tracey Downey, chief executive at Women’s Pioneer Housing, commented on the womens-only tower block securing planning permission: “Women’s Pioneer Housing has worked for more than 100 years with vulnerable women, including in Ealing, and we strongly believe that providing more good-quality, affordable homes for women is critically important, particularly during this cost-of-living and energy crisis.”
Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath, development growth director at L&Q, said: “We are honoured to support Women’s Pioneer Housing and their proposals for Brook House through our Build London Partnership scheme.
“The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has pushed so many Londoners onto housing waiting lists and we truly believe that it is often with the help of small builders and specialised housing associations, like WPH that we can create truly inclusive and diverse communities.”
