Construction starts on Merton’s first new council homes in a generation

L&Q and Merton Council have celebrated construction starting on more than 75 new council homes.

The housing association and local council marked this major milestone with an event on Thursday (4 June) at Raleigh Gardens in Mitcham, one of the three new sites in the first phase of building.

L&Q will project manage and build the new affordable rented homes in partnership with the council, for residents in the borough.

At Raleigh Gardens, there will be 36 new energy efficient homes for social rent built by L&Q’s in-house build team.

This wider project is supported by a multimillion-pound investment from the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes programme 2021-2026 and the homes are being built with residents’ needs at the forefront of design.

The homes will have ‘PassivHaus’ principles meaning they will be energy-efficient to create a warmer feel inside and help keep bills lower to support residents with the cost of living. Not only this, but the homes will also help the council move towards its net zero carbon targets.

The homes, which are due to be completed in 2027, will sit in the heart of established communities, close to nearby shops and services, which will also provide a boost to local businesses.

Raleigh Gardens will have homes made up of one- and two-bedroom apartments, and Elm Nursery in Mitcham will have 21 homes. Farm Road in Morden will have 18 new council homes made up of one and two-bedroom apartments and larger homes for families.

Eye-catching panels on the hoardings around the development feature real people who live, work, study or volunteer in Merton, capturing the rich diversity of individuals and families in the borough.

Neil Davis, Delivery Director at L&Q, said:

"We’re proud to be working alongside Merton Council to deliver this important programme of new affordable homes.

“These homes will provide residents with comfortable, sustainable and energy-efficient places to live for generations to come.

“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of an exciting project for our in-house build team and the council, contributing to tackling the shortage of homes in Merton."

Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, said:

“Merton Council has decided to build council homes for the first time in a generation.

“We are very pleased to work in partnership with L&Q and architects WW+P Architects to deliver these homes for local residents. They are being built on the basis of passivhaus principles so will be much cheaper to heat than most homes and help with cost of living pressures. Everyone deserves a decent place to live – a place they are proud to call home and provides a good quality of life.

“These homes will benefit our whole community by improving the lives of residents, and by increasing the supply of homes in Merton to help to tackle the housing crisis locally'.”