Brinklow House ground floors to provide 14 family flats - First "new council homes" for almost 30 years

Published: 25 March 2011
by KARINA WHALLEY

FOR the first time in almost 30 years “new council houses” have been built in central London, say Westminster Council.

On Monday they unveiled 10 new and four refurbished flats, constructed in the ground-floor space of four tower blocks in Westbourne Green.

Two of the properties are already occupied. 

Bayan Abdullah, an Iraqi housewife, moved into her three-bedroom flat in Brinklow House with her husband and two children on March 21. 

The 54-year-old said: “We were so happy when we heard we would have the flat three weeks ago. 

“Where we lived before was small, damp and had stairs. Because my husband is partially disabled, we were able to get this ground floor flat after bidding for ages.” 

City Hall said it was expected that other local families, currently in overcrowded homes or on the priority housing waiting list will be able to move in within a matter of weeks.

Councillor Philippa Roe, cabinet member for housing, said: “Only by utilising every nook and cranny, redundant scrap of tarmac or underused garage on our own land were we even able to contemplate going ahead with this. 

“I’m sure many other local authorities will follow our lead as the pressures on funding new homes for London’s increasing population grows.”

The new homes will be run by CityWest Homes, which manages 22,000 homes on behalf of the council.