Councils across London are looking at different ways to get more housing for locals. Many are struggling with long waiting lists and massive bills for temporary accommodation. In fact, the estimate is it costs £4m a night. The challenging situation encourages innovation. One council has a really interesting plan that could deliver hundreds of new homes. We want to have a closer look at it here, then if you want guaranteed rent in Lewisham, you can rely on us.
Plans
Lewisham Council has a particularly different time managing housing in the area. They currently have a waiting list of over 13,000 people. More concerning, 3,500 families are living in expensive temporary nightly accommodation. It puts a huge strain on their finances.
The Council’s plan to help improve the situation is to sell off two pieces of land to landowners with neighbouring sites. They would then be redeveloped as joint-partnerships. In return, the council would get new homes for social rent and shared ownership.
These kinds of “public/private” partnerships can be fantastic for local councils. They can help to resolve critical issues like affordability. Crucially, they can promote mixed-tenure developments and create stronger communities. Projects can also include elements like new employment space and amenities. It can benefit the local economies.
The proposals for the two schemes would create 370 new homes in total, as well as new employment space. Of these, 177 would be leased to the council for 999 years. The others would be for private sale. They could be fantastic opportunities for different buyers, including investors. We’d be happy to help with guaranteed rent in Lewisham if anyone does invest.
Willow Way, Sydenham
The land in South East London was previously a housing office and council depot. However, it could become housing. There are already plans in the works for neighbouring sites. However, the Council did not grant planning permission; they want to see a masterplan for the area.
Lewisham Council is in discussion with landowners of the surrounding sites. They are proposing to add their land to the other holdings. This would create a bigger site that could feasibly become 220 homes. Of these, the authority would get 74 social rent homes and 34 shared ownership homes.
Parker House, Deptford
The other piece of land is a little trickier. It has a business centre on one side and an industrial estate on the other. So, it is challenging to redevelop it singularly. Lewisham Council is therefore proposing to sell it to the owners of Evelyn Court. A joint partnership here would increase the size of the redevelopment site. The council would also contribute funding for the project.
Interestingly, the larger site could lead to 150 new homes. Lewisham Council would receive 31 social rent homes and 38 shared ownership homes.
Ask us about guaranteed rent in Lewisham
It will be interesting to see if the projects come to fruition. Hundreds of new homes would definitely be beneficial for the areas, the council, and locals. Any for private sale could also be very attractive to investors.
Any investors with properties in London should have a look at the fantastic services we offer. We’re the best provider of rent guarantees in the city, working with many local councils. The agreements give them access to properties for locals, and also give the owners stable rental income with no voids.
So, if guaranteed rent in Lewisham sounds good to you, get in touch and find out more. We are happy to provide all the details you could need. Then, we can help with property inspections and setting up a scheme.