L-t-r (back): H&F Cllr Nicole Trehy, Steve Leakey (Managing Director at Higgins Partnerships), H&F Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan, Ben Coleman MP for Chelsea and Fulham and Cllr Frances Umeh, H&F Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness with pupils from Sir John Lillie primary school
Hammersmith & Fulham Council's housing development on the Aintree Estate in Fulham is taking shape, with the concrete frame now complete across all four new residential blocks.
One-hundred-and-thirty-four new homes for local residents are being built on the site of the former Hartopp Point and Lannoy Point, demolished after we identified serious structural defects to the blocks.
More than 80 per cent of these new homes will be genuinely affordable. Cllr Frances Umeh, H&F Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness said:
These new homes demonstrate our commitment to providing local people with the local homes they need. There are a mix of homes available for social rent, shared ownership and some available to buy. The homes will be energy-efficient, cutting residents' bills while helping us build a greener H&F. At the heart of the development will also be a brand new outdoor communal play area. And through the development's construction phase, jobs and training opportunities have been created for local residents."
WATCH: Cllr Frances Umeh visits the Aintree Estate in Fulham
What's happening
The development has reached its full height, with scaffolding now in place and brickwork progressing up the facade.
Next, internal works will start in January 2025, with the project on track for completion in early 2026.
We have also further enhanced the original design by adding a second stairwell to one of the blocks as an additional safety feature for residents.
Priority for the new homes will be given to local residents, in line with the local plan. All homes are built to Passivhaus classic standard – the highest energy efficiency standards in the UK.
Supporting the local community
To mark the development's progress, students from Sir John Lillie Primary School recently unveiled a new green scheme at their school with Cllr Umeh, H&F Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan and Ben Coleman, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, along with our contractor Higgins Partnerships.
The new £20,000 planting scheme was funded by Higgins, with 450 new plants – including English Bluebells, herbs, and garden flowers – set to transform the school's playground and increase biodiversity.
Steve Leakey, Managing Director of Higgins Partnerships comments: "At Higgins, our commitment extends beyond building new homes – we strive to contribute to the local economy, strengthening the community and leaving a positive, lasting legacy for generations to come."
Sue Hayward, headteacher at Sir John Lillie primary school, said: "We really appreciate the partnership we have developed with Higgins.
"The team built planters, renovated benches and steps, protected a tree with a new planter and provided plants to support our amazing playground. Working with a company that values the environment, as we do, has given our children a new outlook on building projects they may see around the area."
Affordable homes for Fulham
The new homes on the Aintree Estate will include:
- 67 homes at social rent
- 45 homes for shared ownership
- 22 homes available to buy.
The development forms part of H&F Council's ambitious house-building programme to deliver 1,800 new council-built homes across the borough by early 2026, with 65% designated as affordable housing. These council homes are part of a wider development programme that will see 3,000 new local homes for local people built or underway across H&F.
Current council-led projects include:
- EdCity: 132 new affordable homes
- Farm Lane: 31 new homes – 16 affordable units
- Lillie Road: 42 new homes – 21 affordable homes and a new community hall.
