Second Stage for South Acton Estate

New Funding Paves Way for Rebuilding and Improvement

Ealing Council and its partner Catalyst Housing Group have secured £9.2 million from the Housing Corporation to continue with the revitalisation of the South Acton Estate it was announced this week. 101 new homes will be built in the area south of the Bollo Bridge Road and will be a mixture of housing association, shared ownership, key worker and privately owned accommodation. Some of the existing blocks will be refurbished with the rest being demolished and rebuilt.

"This is excellent news which means that we can now forge ahead with the regeneration of South Acton," said Cllr Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for housing improvement. "A lot of work has been done to produce a high quality urban design for the estate and this successful bid demonstrates the confidence that the housing corporation has in us to deliver these changes to the estate. We can now get on with finalising the detailed plans in consultation with residents so that building can start in 2005." Already a tower block in the centre of the estate has been demolished and been replaced with 86 brand new homes for residents who have moved from their old properties. There are also plans to refurbish the remaining properties if a separate £6 million bid is successful. Bids for a further £28.5 million will now be made to continue the redevelopment on top of what has already been secured, to build another 223 properties, out of an eventual planned total of 864.

The council and its partner agencies - Action Acton, the Health Authority, Police and Catalyst are also working together to tackle the wider issues of employment, training, community safety, health and leisure facilities. Rod Cahill, Catalyst Group Chief Executive said, "We are delighted to be able to continue to build on the existing successful and innovative partnership approach to the regeneration of the South Acton Estate and the wider Acton area." Cllr Anand added, "Residents who have moved into the new properties in the centre of the estate have told me that they are really happy with the improvements that we have made. Now we can now get on with working to really improve the quality of life and creating a better environment for even more residents."

29th March 2004