A North London site unused for 20 years will be redeveloped into 149 new homes in the first phase of a bigger project.
They will build 149 homes first on an old driving school site. The driving school has been empty for over 20 years. However, the project won’t meet affordable housing goals.
The Harrow Council approved this first phase recently. They are working with Wates, a property developer, and together, they plan affordable homes and public spaces. It will happen at the old driving school and the Civic Centre.
This first stage is called Byron Quarter. It includes 149 new homes in Wealdstone South. Forty-four of these homes will be “affordable.” The land was a driving school years ago and has been vacant for a long time. People have dumped trash there often.
The homes include an apartment building and terraced houses. The apartment building has 78 homes, and the terraced houses have 71 homes. Only 27% are affordable, less than the 40% goal. The council says profits are lower than expected.
Ten homes will be for social rent, and thirty-four will be shared ownership. The council may add more affordable homes later, depending on project costs during construction.
The site is next to a leisure centre, with routes for walking and biking nearby. The design was changed to fit the neighborhood; they lowered the height of some buildings.
The council thinks this boosts growth and they want a lively and inclusive community. Construction should begin in mid-2025, and people could move in by autumn 2026.