Kersfield Estate Infill Regeneration Continues Apace
As council seeks approval for all 41 new homes to be made available for social housing
The Kersfield Estate mid-build
Scheduled for completion in summer 2023, the Kersfield Estate on Lytton Grove is undergoing a regeneration programme as part of the council’s Housing for All scheme.
Wates Residential, part of the privately owned property and development specialist Wates Group, is building 41 new homes on the grounds of the existing estate.
Originally the council housing scheme was to result in 14 social rent homes and 27 flats for market sale. However, following the May 2022 local elections which saw Labour take control of Wandsworth council, cabinet members last month approved a
commitment to make all homes within the council’s ‘1,000 Homes Programme’ available for council rent.
A planning application amendment to switch the 27 new homes on Lytton Grove from market sale flats to council rent homes, now needs to be considered for approval by the council’s planning committee.
The redevelopment scheme on the Kersfield Estate is part of a council-led programme to develop new homes on ‘infill’ sites across the borough, using vacant or underused land around existing buildings.
Lizzie Le Mare, Director at Tibbalds, the planning and urban designers working on the site, said: “The main challenge from a design and planning point of view has been ensuring that the scheme delivers the best possible design solution to make a positive contribution to the street and wider context and also maximise the benefits for new and existing estate residents. The orientation and positioning of the buildings has been carefully considered to retain as many good quality trees as possible and to create a landscape between the buildings that is usable and feels safe and secure.”
CGI of the planned units on the Kerslake Estate
Work started in January 2021 with the demolition of an existing electricity substation on the site and ground preparation to make way for seven new blocks, ranging from two to four storeys, and a new electricity substation.
The scheme also includes improvements to the hard and soft landscaping around the new development and existing buildings on the estate, as well as new street lighting, cycle racks and car charging bays.
The new buildings were designed by Mae Architects, who were awarded Public & Social Housing Architect of the Year in October. Commenting on Mae’s designs being granted planning permission, a Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “A key factor in this success has been the excellent approach taken to resident engagement and how plans have then been developed and adapted to take on resident comments.”
Landscaping of the site is by Shrewsbury-based Camlins, the company also working on Parkside in Nine Elms. A spokesperson from Camlins said the landscape designs for Kersfield “redefine the external space, creating safe, usable and appealing areas for residents and public. This will include a new footpath link through the site, new play areas and amenity space. The new landscape will have a clear spatial hierarchy to complement nearby parts of the estate. This purposeful approach redefines the landscape character which has been lost over time”.
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November 7, 2022