The transformation of Westhorpe Gardens (a multi-million-pound development) has now completed, delivering 251 high-quality affordable homes for the Barnet community.
To mark the occasion, representatives from Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) and The Hill Group came together for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, recognising the successful delivery of this landmark regeneration project.
Led by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) in partnership with Hill and Barnet Council, and supported by funding from the Mayor of London's Affordable Homes Programme, the five-year programme has replaced all 102 original social rent homes on the estate. It has also provided an additional 149 affordable homes to help meet growing local housing demand.
The completed development has created a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood featuring a range of high-quality homes, extensive landscaped green spaces, community gardens, allotments, play areas, and later-living accommodation. Designed with residents at its heart, Westhorpe Gardens includes pedestrian-friendly streets and welcoming public spaces that encourage community interaction.
The project holds a significant place in London's regeneration story as the first development to be approved through a resident ballot under the Mayor of London's Good Practice Guide. In 2018, 75% of residents voted in favour of the plans, with community engagement remaining central throughout the design and delivery.
The regeneration has already enabled many former residents to return to modern, energy-efficient homes that are more affordable to run and built to contemporary standards. All homes achieve an EPC B rating and feature high-performance glazing, helping residents reduce their energy consumption and household bills.
The development has also been designed to enhance biodiversity and wellbeing, retaining 92 mature trees while introducing significant new landscaping and outdoor amenity spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy.
Mel Barrett, Chief Executive at MTVH, said: "Westhorpe Gardens has always been about far more than delivering new homes, it has been about creating a neighbourhood shaped by the people who live here. From the very beginning, residents have played a central role in influencing the future of the estate, and it is incredibly rewarding to see that shared vision become a reality.
"Working alongside Barnet Council, The Hill Group and our wider partners, we have created a thriving community that combines high-quality affordable homes with attractive public spaces, sustainable design and an environment where residents can build their futures for generations to come."
Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, said: "Reaching completion is a special moment for everyone involved in delivering Westhorpe Gardens. Through a strong collaborative partnership with MTVH, Barnet Council and our project team, we have transformed the site into a vibrant new neighbourhood that will positively impact the local community.
"Every aspect of the development has been carefully considered, from the energy-efficient features built into the homes and extensive landscaping to the high-quality public spaces and community facilities. We are incredibly proud to have delivered a project that not only meets today's housing needs but will leave a lasting legacy for Barnet for decades to come."
Westhorpe Gardens stands as a landmark example of resident-led regeneration, delivering high-quality affordable homes alongside enhanced public spaces and improved sustainability that will enhance the Barnet community today and for future generations. The development demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnership working and a shared commitment to creating places where people and communities can thrive.
