Increase in new Council homes as Nightingale transformation moves a step closer
Work on the first new homes at the Nightingale estate in Hackney Downs has moved a step closer after updated plans that increase the number of social rent Council homes were agreed.
Previous plans for the estate had included 52 social rent homes as part of a wider transformation that also includes a new community centre and major investment in green and open spaces on the estate.
The updated plans now include 70 Council homes for social rent, all of which will be delivered first, with the Council currently working to appoint a contractor to lead the construction.
These will be complemented by a major investment into Olympus Green – the green space at the heart of the estate – including new planting, landscaping, play equipment and gym facilities, as well a new temporary community centre, with a permanent facility being delivered in future phases of the project.
Residents at Nightingale have made it very clear that they are keen for the Council to get on with delivering the ambitious plans to build the much needed new Council homes for their estate.
At long last delivery is progressing, with investment into communal facilities that includes new play equipment, outdoor gym facilities and landscaping at Olympus Green and a new purpose designed temporary community centre are all set to come forward. As agreed with residents a new permanent community centre will be built as part of a future phase of the Nightingale project.
Meanwhile the plans for the new homes have been redesigned so that the first 70 new homes will all be Council homes for social rent and all will be prioritised for Nightingale residents whose current home doesn’t meet their needs.
These new homes will add to the more than 1,500 homes started or completed by the Council since May 2018 – despite the challenges caused by Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, the rising costs of building materials and the continued absence of government funding. More than half the homes the Council builds are for social rent, shared ownership or Hackney Living Rent, delivered directly by the Council with some homes for outright sale to help pay for them.
The Council are now developing plans for even more new Council homes for the future and are asking residents to shape how and where these should be built to ensure local people both support these plans and are the first to benefit from them.
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Find out more information about the plans for the Nightingale Estate at: hackney.gov.uk/nightingale-estate/