Doors open to new homes on historic Southwark site

Residents are moving into the first completed housing development on the site of the former Aylesbury Estate in Southwark – and have given it a historic name to reflect the area’s historic links.

Site A of phase 1a, developed by L&Q, currently consists of 52 new one and two-bedroom homes, available for affordable or intermediate rent. It has been named ‘Hitard Court’ by local residents – after a court jester who was reportedly given the area of Walworth as a gift during Anglo Saxon King Edmund’s reign.

A further 209 homes are in the pipeline across phase 1a, meaning that when complete, Albany Place will house up to 840 people through a variety of affordable tenancy and home ownership options.

All the homes at Albany Place are designed to be environmentally-friendly, attaining Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. They are highly-insulated and benefit from a centralised community heating plant, incorporating both gas fired and biomass boilers.

A new community healthcare facility is now also open on-site. The Southwark Resource Centre (SRC) is a specialist centre for people with sensory and neurological disabilities, and includes arts and dance amenities as well as healthcare facilities.

Resident, Mrs Gilchrist, said; “I think my new home is wonderful, I was a bit dubious about the move at the beginning, because I’d lived in Chartridge for 35 years but the help with the move was excellent and I’m absolutely delighted. Everything came fitted, including the kitchen appliances and the rooms are spacious. I have managed to stay in touch with my old neighbours - I still see them at the shops and we still chat to each other.”

John Lumley, development manager at L&Q, said: “Albany Place is built on a historic, well-known site, so it was important to us to create the right kinds of homes to suit the needs of future residents and those moving back to the area. It is great to see residents getting keys to what we hope will be a fantastic new community.”

Site A of phase 1a currently has nine properties still available for rent. A one bedroom property rent starts from £800.00pcm and two bedroom property from £1248.00pcm.

For further details please call 0844 406 9800.