Acton Gardens regeneration positively impacted residents lives, study finds

An independent assessment of the Acton Gardens regeneration programme has revealed that the development is having a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of residents in South Acton, West London.

Commissioned by the delivery partners at the former South Acton estate, Vistry Group and L&Q, the study highlighted a strong and growing sense of satisfaction among residents, alongside increased perceptions of safety and wellbeing. 

The study was carried out between 2023 and 2024 by Social Life, a specialist centre of research and innovation about the social life of communities, and it involved over 560 residents and stakeholders across the estate and surrounding areas. This is the fourth such study commissioned by Vistry and L&Q over the last 10 years, as they work together with the local community, not only to deliver 3,463 homes at Acton Gardens, but also support the building of a successful, resilient neighbourhood. 

The study found that a clear majority of residents support the regeneration and feel it is improving their quality of life; a feeling which has increased compared to previous years. Residents in new Acton Gardens homes report significantly better wellbeing, reduced safety concerns, and improved perceptions of the built environment compared to those in the older estate. Moreover, as the local community is represented by an active Community Board, A stronger sense of voice and influence was reported among both new and existing residents, along with positive feedback on community cohesion and integration.

Carrying out the study every couple of years has allowed the research to also identify trends in people’s perceptions. For example, almost all the regeneration priorities were less important for residents than in previous years, suggesting that as the estate is rebuilt, residents are paying less attention to the detail of the scheme. Equally the effects of the pandemic are still lingering, which means that, although some key indicators of community strength are recovering since 2020, such as sense of influence, belonging and neighbourliness, these are not as strong as before the pandemic.

This report is an important piece of research, not just for the local community at Acton Gardens, but also to serve as a blueprint for successful regeneration and understanding residents’ priorities for their social life and wellbeing.

Nick Churcher, Managing Director for Vistry West London, said: "Acton Gardens is one of the most ambitious estate regeneration projects in London, and the latest independent report by Social Life shows that our continued delivery of high-quality homes and public spaces is having a transformative impact. With 215 homes in Phases 9.3, 9.5 and 9.6 now under construction, we’re proud to be building new homes that not only meet residents’ needs today but contribute to a long-term vision for a thriving, connected community. These findings reinforce the importance of delivering regeneration at pace, while maintaining quality and care in every stage of development."

Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath, Growth and Sales Director at L&Q, commented: "Successful regeneration is about more than providing new and improved homes. It’s about working with residents and their communities, understanding their needs, and investing to create places which enable them to live better lives. As the long-term steward of the South Acton community, we’re pleased to see the regeneration supporting a growing sense of safety, wellbeing and social connection. This is why, together with Vistry, we have developed the Acton Gardens Community Development Plan to put into action the recommendations of the report, ensuring that the benefits of the regeneration are inclusive and long-lasting. 

The report outlines a set of clear, actionable recommendations to further the good work to date and ensure all residents can feel the benefits of regeneration. These include enhancing the older estate, offering financial support, creating youth-friendly spaces, deepening community ties through events and shared spaces, planning for long-term social infrastructure and accelerating delivery. 

Currently the partners are delivering Phases 9.3, 9.5 and 9.6 of Acton Gardens, providing 207 new homes. To date, 2,189 new homes have been delivered, and completion of the latest phase saw the 1000th affordable home handed over since regeneration began. 
 
In response to the report’s recommendations, L&Q and Vistry have developed the Acton Gardens Community Development Plan. This will be reviewed quarterly, with input from the Acton Gardens Community Board and LLP partners, to ensure accountability.