19 January 2016

Work starts on 17 new homes at Wood Vale in Forest Hill

Lewisham Homes has begun building 17 new homes at Wood Vale in Forest Hill.

Located on a former garage site, the development, due to complete in spring 2017, includes 7 two-bedroom apartments, 1 one-bedroom apartment and 1 four-bedroom maisonette. Each home will have an individual balcony or garden area.

It will provide a mix of homes, 9 of which will be offered for affordable rent. A further 8 three-bed town houses with individual garages will be built for private sale to generate funds for the creation of more social housing.

Lewisham Homes is delivering this development in partnership with Lewisham Council and Bonds Builders and Contractors Limited, to address the critical shortage of social housing in Lewisham.

Councillor Damien Egan, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“It’s fantastic to see this exciting development getting off the ground. We’re building 500 new, quality, council homes in sites throughout Lewisham and these homes will help local families live and work in the borough in an affordable and secure way. Many of us in Lewisham are struggling with housing costs. This is one small part of our wider housing strategy as we focus on creating policies that give practical help for residents.”

Lewisham Homes is working with local residents in line with its focus on improving neighbourhoods, building thriving communities and involving residents in design through community engagement.

Julia Cotton, Lewisham Homes Resident Board Chair, explains:

“We’ve listened to what residents have to say about the Wood Vale development through door knocking exercises, surveys and drop in sessions during the last year. This feedback has allowed local people to help shape the design proposals, and is an important part of our building process”

Resident feedback has led to additional parking being provided and the relocation of garden space.

Last year, Lewisham Homes built the first council houses in Lewisham for 30 years which are now home to six Lewisham families. The New Homes Better Places programme aims to build a total of 500 new homes in Lewisham by March 2018.