Harrow Council Names Wates for Wealdstone Development Project

Harrow Council have named Wates Residential as the development partner for their regeneration programme worth an estimated GBP 600 million. Council’s cabinet approved the decision to select Wates as the development partner in the equally owned Harrow Strategic Development Partnership. The partnership is the largest investment and development opportunity Harrow has seen and will create an inviting, attractive and thriving Wealdstone high street that generates apprenticeships, training and wealth in the borough. It will transform the landscape of Wealdstone, building 1,500 new homes, including a significant number of affordable homes, a new civic centre, shops, offices, and a school, as well as public and green spaces.

The partnership will work with hundreds of young people at schools and colleges across the borough to provide school curriculum support and help raise aspirations; invest in employment, skills and training initiatives including providing construction training for over 130 unemployed adults to help kick-start their careers; and deliver 220 apprenticeships. Local businesses will also benefit a spend close to GBP 100 million with Harrow businesses will help the local economy while a Pop-Up Business School session will support the growth of existing local businesses and start-ups.

Location of all three sites to be developed through HSDP

The announcement comes 15 months after the north-west London local authority launched their search for a development partner.

The search for the private sector delivery partner was overseen by strategic real estate advisor Avison Young while international law firm, Pinsent Masons advised Harrow Council on the set up of the proposed partnership in the north-west London borough.

The Harrow Strategic Development Partnership is due to start in February 2021 with the first homes built in 2022.

Source : Strategic Research Institute, SteelGuru