Work has started to transform a former water depot in Merton into much-needed new homes, reports Clarion.
Clarion Housing Group is turning the disused Thames Water depot at Fortescue Road in Colliers Wood into 74 new homes, which include 58 for Shared Ownership, 11 for affordable rent and five starter homes. In June, the leading housing provider bought the 0.66 hectare site from Goldcrest and has appointed contractors Skillcrown to help to deliver the scheme. The contractor has now started the initial preparatory work on the site.
The development is located close to Colliers Wood station - providing a direct link into London on the Northern line - and a large retail park, which has a Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s superstore. The site was granted planning permission for residential housing in February this year and the new development is expected to be completed by late summer 2019.
Philip Browne, New Business and Partnerships Director at Clarion commented: "This scheme further underlines Clarion’s significant and ongoing commitment to the borough of Merton."
"We are particularly pleased to be bringing brownfield land back into use and delivering high quality affordable homes to those who are struggling to buy through the private market."
Land & Business Development Director at Skillcrown, Kevin Clark, has said: “The project, openly marketed by Savills attracted some healthy competition for us. However, our track record working with Clarion Housing Group proved key in securing the project. Being able to provide affordable housing in London is vital, not only to offer desirable living spaces but also to give people a chance to get onto the property ladder. Delivering this project means we can continue to help provide much needed housing in London.”
“Having sold a site to Skillcrown and Clarion Housing Group in the past, we were confident they could deliver on Fortescue Road and had no hesitation recommending them as the preferred buyer to our client” said Andrew Cox, Development Director at Savills. “We were delighted with the quick and simple turnaround from Skillcrown, taking just six weeks for the sale to complete.”