Islington council has approved one of the north London borough’s biggest housing schemes in decades.
The local authority gave the green light to the New Barnsbury Estate redevelopment near Caledonian Road. It will deliver 1,116 new homes in total across 12 buildings between three and 21 storeys in height over the next decade.
Islington suffers severe overcrowding and has around 15,000 households on its housing waiting list.
The project is being delivered by a partnership between developer Mount Anvil and housing association Newlon Housing Trust.
It includes 291 replacement and 135 extra social rent properties, plus a larger community centre, enhanced green spaces with more trees, and new commercial units on Caledonian Road. In total 38% of the homes are for social rent with the rest for market sale.
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About 60 residents objected to the plans, mainly because of the impact of the towers on nearby Regent’s Canal.
The Pollard Thomas Edwards designed scheme requires the demolition of all the existing blocks and other structures on the New Barnsbury estate, which was completed in phases between the 1950s and 1970s.
Then 711 homes will be built in the first phase and a further 405 homes in a second phase. The red-brick “old” Barnsbury Estate dates back to the 1930s and will be renovated.
Plans to transform the new estate were first approved by the council in 2023. But the application was later changed in the light of new building regulations brought in following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Santiago Bell-Bradford, deputy leader and executive member for inclusive economy, culture & jobs said: “Everyone in Islington deserves a decent, secure and affordable home – and this decision shows how good planning can deliver that.
“This scheme will provide more than 1,000 new, modern, safe homes that meet Building Safety Act standards.
“Alongside this, we’re creating two new public parks, a larger community centre, and better connections for walking and cycling – a great example of planning delivering real benefits for local people.”
Marcus Bate, Mount Anvil’s partnerships, planning, communities & sustainability director said: “Building trust with residents has been central to our mission, and the overwhelmingly positive resident vote earlier this year shows how strongly the estate residents support our proposals..”
Ruth Davison chief executive, Newlon Housing Trust, said: “Unusually, most of the social rented homes will be delivered first at Barnsbury, so those whose home this already is, will have the benefit of the investment first.
“It’s just one of our commitments as a community social landlord, as well as ensuring families are no longer overcrowded on the estate, and that we deliver an additional 135 homes for families on Islington’s waiting list.”
