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Wall of six towers planned for North London strip site

lans have gone in for a dramatic six-tower cluster on the Hendon Goods Yard site at Barnet in North London.

 

Hendon Goods Yard Village plan designed by architect AFK
Hendon Goods Yard Village plan designed by architect AFK

 

The proposed mixed-use scheme will deliver 368 homes, a 243-bed hotel and a 246-bed student block on the former goods yard site.

The challenging strip site for the residential project is just 13–26m wide and 900m long, sandwiched between the M1 and the Thameslink rail line, north of Hendon station.

Designed by architect Arney Fender Katsalidis (AFK), the towers would rise from 19 to 29 storeys, linked at ground level by a two-storey podium with colonnades and glazed frontage.

The design uses pigmented precast concrete with finishes that gradually lighten towards the top of the buildings. More than half of the homes and student rooms are designated affordable.

According to buildability adviser Arup, the construction programme would stretch to almost nine years.

Following demolition of a Toyota maintenance facility, two years of piling and excavation would be needed before podium works could start in late 2029.

Tower building will be phased, with three under construction at any one time through to mid-2034. Each tower is expected to take around three years to complete, with the programme carefully staged to avoid disrupting Hendon station’s daily operations.

At its peak the site is expected to employ 400–500 staff, with numbers fluctuating as phases progress.

The project also includes 2,000 sq m of commercial and health space, landscaping, new parking, and reprovision of Network Rail facilities.

BTP Group is acting as cost consultant on the vast scheme, with Heyne Tillet Steel acting as structural engineers and Introba as MEP consultant.

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Green light for £1.7bn Edgware town centre revamp

Ballymore and Transport for London’s commercial property arm Places for London have secured outline planning permission for the £1.7bn redevelopment of Edgware Town Centre from the London Borough of Barnet.

 

 

The approved plans will deliver 3,365 new homes alongside 460,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space plus a new transport interchange.

The development, masterplanned by Howells, will also include 463 student units.

John Mulryan, Group Managing Director at Ballymore said: “Town centres and our local high streets are the beating heart of London’s communities – by enabling their success we create opportunity for jobs, growth, connection, and foster pride of place.

“Our shared vision for Edgware will breathe new life into the town centre – transforming it into a more vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

“We are immensely proud of these proposals, which are the result of five years of local views and deeply value the input we’ve received throughout the process. We are excited by the masterplan that has emerged and look forward to continuing our work with the community and our partners to bring this vision to reality.”

Since acquiring the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in 2020, Ballymore has undertaken more than four and a half years of sustained engagement with residents, community groups, and interested stakeholders.

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New law to force tower block cladding fix by 2029

Landlords will face unlimited fines or prison if they fail to remove dangerous cladding from tower blocks by strict new deadlines set by the government.

 

Remediation law backed by £1bn funding and enforcement blitz
Remediation law backed by £1bn funding and enforcement blitz

 

Planned new legislation will make it a legal requirement to fix buildings 18 metres or taller by the end of 2029. Buildings between 11 and 18 metres must be remediated by the end of 2031.

Landlords who miss the deadline without a valid excuse could be prosecuted and handed serious penalties.

The new law will also give Homes England and local councils power to step in and carry out works directly where landlords fail to act.

Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner said the new Remediation Bill sent a clear message to landlords.

The crackdown is part of the second phase of the Remediation Acceleration Plan. It comes alongside a fresh £1bn investment to support the social housing sector in speeding up cladding removal.

Housing associations and councils will now have equal access to government funding to get jobs done with immediate effect.

Building safety minister Alex Norris said the new rules remove excuses and create a clear path to fix every unsafe building in England.

The government is also funding help for leaseholders including new long-term support to replace costly Waking Watch patrols. In exceptional cases buildings under 11 metres could also qualify for remediation funding.

A new National Remediation System is being rolled out to track progress and hold landlords to account. Local authorities and metro mayors are also being backed with over £5 million to support locally focused remediation plans.

The government’s Building Safety Levy will come into force from October 2026 and is expected to raise £3.4 billion over the next decade. Exemptions will apply to affordable housing, supported housing and small schemes under ten units.

Since the launch of the Remediation Acceleration Plan in December 2024 over 24,000 more residents are now living in safe buildings. Ministers say that number must continue to rise until every dangerous block is fixed.

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Green light for £800m Poplar estate revamp

The Hill Group and housing association Poplar HARCA have received a resolution to grant planning permission for the £800m transformation of the Teviot Estate in Poplar, east London.

 

 

The redevelopment will deliver 1,928 new homes over four phases, alongside community facilities, public spaces and a fully relandscaped Langdon Park.

The project will include a new mosque and significant investment in local infrastructure.

The first phase will now start on site next year delivering 475 new homes with first completions expected by 2028.

Designed by architects BPTW, the masterplan spans eight hectares and includes a mix of studios, apartments and family homes.

Andy Hill, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “This is a landmark moment for Teviot and a major step forward in delivering lasting change for the community.

“Securing planning permission means we can now move forward with our shared vision, which prioritises creating high-quality homes and improved communal spaces that reflect the needs of residents. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Poplar HARCA and the local community to bring these plans to life.”

Paul Dooley, Director of Regeneration and Development at Poplar HARCA, added: “We’re proud to have secured planning permission for the regeneration of Teviot, a nationally exemplar project, shaped in genuine partnership with the community. This is a real win for residents who gave their time and efforts to make sure this masterplan delivers the things that are important for local people.

“The plans include a mix of affordable homes, with a strong focus on family-sized housing to tackle overcrowding in Tower Hamlets, as well as investment in community facilities and projects that will benefit the neighbourhood for years to come. We’re excited to get started on delivering these plans and working in partnership with Hill to build a brighter future for Teviot.”

The full regeneration is expected to be completed by 2042.

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Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will today unveil details of a £39bn house building drive for the next 10 years aiming to deliver around 300,000 new social and affordable homes.The new Social and Affordable Homes Programme will almost double the previous five-year £12.3bn Affordable Homes Programme, which targeted 130,000 homes by 2026.

Rayner’s new programme will set a target of delivering 60% of homes for social rent, equivalent to 180,000 homes, up a third on the previous AHP target.

The Government hopes the programme will give long-term certainty to councils, developers and housing associations, promising a decade of stable funding and reform.

A five-point plan underpins the scheme:

  • Biggest grant funding boost in a generation

  • Rebuilding the sector’s borrowing and investment capacity

  • Stronger regulatory oversight

  • Kickstarting council house building

  • A renewed partnership to build at scale

Homes England will oversee the majority of funding, with up to 30% – £11.7bn – earmarked for the Greater London Authority.

The government will also introduce a new 10-year rent settlement from April 2026, alongside an overhaul of Right to Buy rules to protect council housing stock and boost new delivery.

A modernised Decent Homes Standard will be rolled out and extended to the private rented sector for the first time. Social housing will be covered by new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

Rayner said: “We are seizing this golden opportunity with both hands to transform this country by building the social and affordable homes we need.

“With investment and reform, this government is delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, unleashing a social rent revolution, and embarking on a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing in this country.”

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Ballymore to transform former Crossrail construction site

TfL’s property company Places for London has selected Ballymore as joint venture partner for its development at Limmo Peninsula in east London.

 

 

The land near Canning Town Tube station was previously used for construction of the Elizabeth line – providing the space for the tunnelling machines to be lowered to dig the tunnels.

Places for London and Ballymore will transform the five hectares of brownfield land into a new neighbourhood containing 1,400 homes.

Ben Tate, Head of Property Development at Places for London, said: “The Limmo Peninsula development will be one of our most ambitious developments to date, showing how we can work with the private sector to benefit from the unique opportunities that our estate provides, and helps, us as part of TfL, to support London’s continued growth.

” We’re looking forward to creating a thriving and inclusive new residential neighbourhood, that is safe and child friendly, with excellent transport and active travel connections.”

John Mulryan, Group Managing Director at Ballymore, added: “We have deep roots in Newham and are truly delighted to be partnering once again with Places for London. This partnership is in line with our ambition to partner with landowners across London to deliver new neighbourhoods and communities at scale.

“Newham is a fast growing, diverse borough – and it’s hugely important that the vision for this site reflects that character. Limmo Peninsula will be a dynamic neighbourhood – where its community can thrive. We’re looking forward to collaborating closely with local residents and businesses to create opportunity, connections, and a thoughtfully designed, sustainable neighbourhood.”

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Land deal unlocks East London £750m health hub plan

Queen Mary University of London has struck a landmark deal with the government to develop a £750m biomedical campus in Whitechapel.

 

Allies & Morrison designs for part of the biomedical campus
Allies & Morrison designs for part of the biomedical campus

 

The agreement with the Department of Health and Social Care gives the university control of 80,000 sq m of land next to its existing East London campus.

This unlocks ambitious plans to build a major life sciences centre, one of the largest of its kind to come forward in the capital.

The site sits opposite the Royal London Hospital on the south side of Whitechapel Road,

Five new and refurbished buildings, designed by Allies & Morrison and Gibson Thornley, will form part of the scheme, which already has planning consent from Tower Hamlets.

Queen Mary boss Professor Colin Bailey said the landmark deal future-proofed the long-term future of the University.

“This major investment gives us the opportunity, working with partners, to drive economic growth and healthcare benefits in an increasingly hyper-connected area of London within which we have deep historic roots.”

The university first acquired part of the site in 2021, which Professor Bailey said at the time was one of the biggest research investments in its history. Today’s deal completes the acquisition and cements Queen Mary’s commitment to Whitechapel, where it has operated since 1785.

The new campus will sit alongside facilities run by long-standing partner Barts Health NHS Trust.

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Green light for stalled London resi tower

Developer Regal has been granted planning approval for a a stalled high-rise residential project in North London.

 

100 Avenue Road
100 Avenue Road

 

Camden Council gave the green light for construction to start at 100 Avenue Road in Swiss Cottage where plans had stalled under a previous developer.

The revised scheme retains the original building’s 24-storey height and massing but delivers substantial improvements and meets Camden’s updated fire safety and sustainability standards with a second staircase.

has approved two significant Regal-led schemes at the same committee meeting, unlocking 442 homes across Swiss Cottage and Camden Town and bringing long-awaited progress to two complex and high-profile sites.

Regal will act as developer, contractor and long-term steward of the building.

The council also approved Regal and 4C Group’s joint venture scheme at 33–35 Jamestown Road and 211 Arlington Road in Camden Town, which will deliver 178 purpose-built student bedrooms, 27 affordable homes, and over 3,600 sq ft of commercial space.

Designed by Morris+Company, the scheme sensitively wraps around a historic pub, with active frontages and a woodland-inspired courtyard at its centre.

33–35 Jamestown Road

Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal, said: “The approval of 442 homes across two major sites in one evening is a real statement of intent – and a turning point for delivery in Camden.

“These are not off-the-shelf schemes: they bring forward genuinely affordable homes, much-needed student accommodation, and high-quality public realm in two very different but equally important locations.

“Our work with the London Borough of Camden has proven that it is possible for both public and private sector to work together with the speed and pragmatism that the planning system needs. This is the kind of delivery that makes a difference – not just more homes, but better ones.”

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John Lewis wins battle to build four resi towers above store

John Lewis has won the battle to build four residential towers above a new Waitrose store in London’s West Ealing after a planning inspector backed its appeal against local council inaction.

 

Planning inspector backs Waitrose build to rent scheme despite local opposition
Planning inspector backs Waitrose build to rent scheme despite local opposition

 

The inspector ruled in favour of the 428-home build-to-rent scheme after Ealing Council failed to make a decision on the application submitted two years ago.

The £240m project will see the existing store demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development featuring towers of 10 to 19 storeys, alongside a new supermarket, 83 affordable homes, commercial space, a public square and community facility.

Contractor Ardmore has been involved as an adviser for the demolition and construction of the four-year project. The professional team includes structural engineering Waterman, building services engineer Cundall and cost consultant Aecom.

The scheme has been designed by architect Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

The West Ealing site sits just 350m from an Elizabeth Line station and is one of the biggest Waitrose stores in London.

Despite backing from government policy promoting brownfield housing near transport hubs, the scheme triggered strong backlash from residents.

A public consultation revealed 96% of responses objected, with campaign group Stop the Towers calling the plans “outrageously oversized.”

But the inspector ruled the plans aligned with the updated National Planning Policy Framework, which gives “substantial weight” to using brownfield land within settlements for housing.

Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent at JLP, said: “We’re pleased the Inspector has found in favour of the multi-million-pound investment that will create vital new housing and a modernised Waitrose store to serve a community we’ve been part of for decades.”

The scheme is being delivered as part of JLP’s strategy to unlock value from its estate through build-to-rent development.

The retailer has partnered with Aberdeen Group in a £500m joint venture to deliver housing schemes across the UK.

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Ex-Lendlease boss seals £24bn Crown Estate mega sites JV

The Crown Estate has signed a £24bn joint venture with Lendlease to unlock tens of thousands of homes and millions of square feet of commercial space across six major sites in London and Birmingham.

 

Crown Estate chief executive Dan Labbad agrees mega development alliance with Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo
Crown Estate chief executive Dan Labbad agrees mega development alliance with Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo

 

The deal was struck by Crown Estate chief executive Dan Labbad – the former global head of Lendlease Construction – and his old firm’s current group CEO Tony Lombardo.

Lendlease will continue as development manager across the sites, while The Crown Estate brings new financial firepower and long-term investment backing following fresh borrowing powers granted under the Crown Estate Act 2025.

The 50/50 partnership marks one of the biggest regeneration alliances in years with potential to deliver over 26,000 homes, 100,000 jobs, and 10m sq ft of employment space.

Crown Estate/ Lendlease JV site pipeline



Euston Station, London – 60 acres, 4.3m sq ft commercial, 2,000 homes



Silvertown, London – 60 acres, 1.3m sq ft commercial, 6,300 homes



Smithfield, Birmingham – 40 acres, 2m+ sq ft commercial, 3,400 homes



Stratford Cross, London – 3 plots, 1.6m+ sq ft commercial



Thamesmead Waterfront, London – 250 acres, 880,000 sq ft commercial, 11,000+ homes



High Road West, Haringey – 27 acres, 100,000+ sq ft commercial, 2,800 homes


The partnership feeds into The Crown Estate’s wider £1.5bn push into science, innovation and tech sectors.

Combined with its existing pipeline, the tie-up could deliver up to 56,000 homes and 19m sq ft of workspace, with a total Gross Development Value of around £44bn.

Labbad said: “As a country, we face challenges to unlocking growth. To support this, we need to spark investment in sectors like science, technology, and housing, alongside deep collaboration across communities, government, and the private sector.

“This joint venture is an example of how The Crown Estate is harnessing its mandate to act in the UK’s long-term national interest, supported by new investment powers, and stepping up its ambition to support inclusive growth for the nation.”

Tony Lombardo, Group CEO of Lendlease, said: “Our partnership with The Crown Estate will create an industry leading alliance that is expected to unlock value within our high-quality UK development portfolio, while accelerating the release of capital for the Group.

“With our expertise in delivering city shaping urban regeneration projects, the joint venture aims to deliver positive outcomes for our securityholders, communities and partners.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the JV showed how private sector partnerships could “unlock capital, get Britain building and grow the economy.”

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