A Bermondsey housing estate could see more than 400 new homes built as part of a major redevelopment, subject to funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA).
The City of London Corporation, which manages estates across the capital including Avondale on Old Kent Road, has submitted bids for potential schemes it is hoping to deliver over the next 10 years.
Filed with the GLA in April under the London Strategic Affordable Housing Programme (LSAHP) 2026-2036, the indicative plans include 89 social rent homes at Avondale replacing existing garages and a further 319 mixed-tenure properties in a revamp of Longland Court.
Collectively the proposals, which as well as new developments would involve the purchasing of some Right to Buy units, would see the delivery of 681 homes at a cost of £94.86 million.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said the schemes support its “long-term ambition to increase affordable housing on our estates”.
The Corporation has responsibilities which go far beyond its primary role of governing the Square Mile. It manages spaces such as Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest as registered charities and oversees a number of housing estates across the city.
The largest is Avondale Square Estate in Bermondsey, which was constructed in the late 1950s/early 1960s and contains 680 homes.
Others include York Way Estate in Islington, William Blake Estate in Lambeth and the Southbank Estates.
The Corporation has faced criticism of its management of its social homes, which total around 1,900, and was issued a C3 rating by the industry watchdog in February this year.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has covered these issues extensively, with problems on both homes within the Square Mile, such as at the Golden Lane Estate, and elsewhere. The local authority has committed more than £300 million to upgrading its housing estates, which it has said is already delivering improvements.
The GLA bids, which are revealed in a paper due to go to a Housing Management and Almshouses Sub-Committee meeting today (Monday September 14), relate to proposed schemes the Corporation is aiming to complete over the next decade subject to the funding being approved.
Officers wrote they are expecting a response to the requests this month. They include:
- 40 new social rent homes at Sumner Buildings in Borough on the ball court and air raid shelter site;
- Redeveloping Longland Court on Avondale Estate to deliver 319 mixed-tenure homes, of which 111 are to be affordable, plus 89 social rent homes on existing garages;
- 40 new social rent homes on the community centre site at Windsor House on Avondale Estate
A small sites programme is also detailed, with the Corporation seeking a grant to deliver 40 social rent homes across Brixton Almshouses, Holloway Estate and Pakeman House.
Officers wrote: “Securing funding at or near the levels requested would significantly improve scheme viability and strengthen the City Corporation’s ability to deliver affordable housing across its estates.”
Commenting on the bids, a City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “These proposed housing schemes support our long-term ambition to increase affordable housing on our estates, and continually improve the quality of our homes.
“It will also support the Mayor of London and the Government’s aims to increase social and affordable housing in the capital. If funding is secured, delivery is likely over the next five to 10 years.”
