Planning Permission has been granted for 19 new dwellings on the Wedmore Estate in Islington, London. The scheme is the latest in a succession of new build housing projects designed by BFF for the London Borough of Islington on areas of social housing identified as capable of being significantly improved as better places to live, with new homes and landscaping.
The main entrance to the estate, with the existing Weatherbury House on the right and the proposed new block on the left.
BFF's designs have created 19 new build dwellings on existing Council land on the Wedmore Estate, as a result of rationalising the layout of former car park areas. Twelve (63%) are for Social Housing and 7 for market sale. BFF's scheme was praised as an excellent, high-quality, proposal that includes benefits for the whole of the existing estate. No demolition is involved and 16 new trees will be planted, increasing the overall number of trees on the site. The existing, predominately hard tarmac surface will include much more varied planting, structured around entrances and play areas, with improved and more attractive lighting.
The rear of the proposed new block, with the enlarged resident’s garden and new play area in the foreground.
No additional parking is provided but the existing provision is laid out more economically, with some spaces located closer to existing building entrances. Clearly marked, safer pedestrian routes using lighter coloured paved surfaces and lighting will be added. The existing, well looked after and well-loved, residents’ garden will be added to and integrated with a relocated landscaped play area. The landscape and planting of this existing garden will for the first time be continuous with the two elongated open spaces to be enhanced and greened between the existing five-storey buildings.
It is the third BFF/LBI scheme to achieve planning consent in the past few months; 41 new homes on the Parkview Estate last October and a further 41 new homes at Dixon Clark Court in March this year.