Wandsworth Conservative Councillors have voted to build a further 800 new homes on top of the 210 already in the pipeline on the Council’s Housing Estates. The homes will be of all types of tenure, for sale, shared ownership and rent; with at least 60% offered as affordable homes to local residents. Cllr Clare Salier, Cabinet member for Housing explained,
“We will build the new homes on vacant space at our existing Council Estates. Over 60% will be affordable and for local people. This will help people get on the Housing ladder and increase our stock of Council homes to rent.”
The announcement follows a number of schemes which saw Wandsworth achieve the second highest number of new affordable homes completed in London in 2016/17. Cllr Ravi Govindia said that,
“Wandsworth Conservatives are committed to meeting the housing needs of our borough. We believe in providing opportunities for all our residents to have good quality, affordable homes both to buy and rent.”
Wandsworth Conservatives have already launched a £120 million regeneration programme for the Alton (Putney) and Winstanley (Battersea) Council Estates with new buildings to replace old and tired tower blocks. The new buildings will be equipped with the latest sprinkler technology to reduce the risk of fire and meet the latest standards for insulation and efficiency.
Despite public statements on the need for new housing Labour Councillors refused to back the plans to build the additional homes at a full Council meeting in December. As has been seen elsewhere in London the Labour party is deeply divided along ideological lines on the financing and tenure of new house building. Labour Councillors even voted against schemes that will provide a newly refurbished library and health centre in Battersea. Luckily in Wandsworth local Conservative Councillors already have a fantastic record of delivery and a steadfast commitment to build even more homes for our borough.