£2bn housing development confirmed for Ladbroke Grove

The largest housing development of the year has been revealed has been unveiled in Ladbroke Grove, London, costing £2bn

The project will include 2,500 new homes in Ladbroke Grove by the Grand Union Canal. The house builder in charge of the project, Ballymore, will work with the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s on the project as part of their pledge to provide affordable homes for local residents.

Of the 2,519 planned homes, at least 500 will be designated as affordable, catering to local buyers and renters struggling in the housing market, which amounts to roughly 20%.

Providing affordable housing in London

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s new London Plan sets a 50% affordable housing target in new developments, while most developers currently offer around 35%. The local residents’ group, The Golborne Forum, will monitor the project and its impact on local traffic levels.

Concerns have also been raised over the project’s effect on the organisations currently based on the site, which include a supermarket, the Canalside Activity Centre, several charities, and an educational charity.

The new development will include a community hub with affordable workspace for businesses, charities, and community groups to thrive.

The 19-acre development site will also feature two parks, open spaces totalling over eight acres, a restored canal basin, and a high street with local shops, cafes, and restaurants covering 90,000 square feet.

Transportation upgrades will include an improved junction with Ladbroke Grove, new cycle paths, and connections to the canal towpath, with the nearest station, Kensal Green, just a half-mile away.

Creating jobs in Ladbroke Grove

The developers predict the project will generate 2,000 permanent jobs and inject £37m into the local economy annually.

“Kensal Canalside is one of the last remaining major brownfield sites to be developed in London and the largest in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea,” said John Mulryan, group managing director of Ballymore.

“There are over 3,000 households on RBKC’s housing waiting list. Our proposals will make a positive and significant contribution towards reducing that figure,” he concluded.