St Mary’s Almshouses extended and ‘affordable’ homes launched at Dickens Yard

Rupa Huq MP and Council Leader Julian Bell at the Dicken's Yard launch

Two new housing developments in Ealing have been opened in under a week which showcase the high standards of suburban planning and design.

On Friday MP for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq and Mayor of Ealing Simon Woodroofe did the honours at the opening of an extension to St Mary’s almshouses originally completed in 1900 and opened by the Archdeacon of Middlesex. A number of new units have now been built to complement these using principles of Sustainable Development funded by the GLA grant (£100,000) and Almshouse Association.

On Monday leader of Ealing council Julian Bell joined Dr Huq along with Rod Cahill, Chief Executive of Catalyst Housing and developer St George at the award-winning restaurant and bar Charlotte’s W5 to celebrate the delivery of 78 shared ownership affordable homes at Dickens Yard mixed-use development in Ealing town centre, now in its final stages of development. When complete, Dickens Yard will include 700 homes and over 100,000 sq ft of new commercial floorspace, as well as a new town centre civic square including British fashion retailer Jigsaw and artisan bakery GAIL’s.

Dr Huq commented, “The most heartbreaking aspect of Grenfell Tower was that it was an utterly preventable needless loss of life. I’m glad Ealing Council has stringent standards with its contractors and to be alongside our Mayor and Council Leader as we open positive examples of how affordable housing can be done both from scratch by renewing existing accommodation. When we take short cuts for cost an decry health and safety culture all too often we pay dearly”.

June 22, 2017