The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the award of a contract for the construction of nine new council homes at Kings Road Car Park, N17. This decision will see the redevelopment of an underutilised car park into much-needed family-sized social housing, alongside improvements to the local environment.

Approval to Award Contract, Kings Road Car Park, N17

Councillor Tammy Hymas, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co Deputy Leader, approved the award of a contract for the development of nine new council homes at Kings Road Car Park, N17. The decision included approving a total scheme cost of £3,950,256 for the construction, with Contractor A appointed to deliver the project. The development will comprise nine four-bedroom, three-storey homes for Social Rent, along with associated refuse and cycle stores and landscaping.

The decision also involved the appropriation of the land from housing to planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, to facilitate the development. This allows the council to utilise its powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override any third-party rights or easements that might interfere with the construction. Following completion, the land will be re-appropriated back to housing purposes within the Housing Revenue Account.

The rationale for the decision highlights the significant shortage of larger affordable homes in the borough, with four-bedroom homes being particularly in demand for families living in overcrowded or temporary accommodation. This development aligns with the council's objective to deliver 3,000 new council homes by 2031. The project is also expected to address existing issues at the site, such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping, through improved natural surveillance, site layout, and secure access arrangements.

The report noted that the site was approved for the Housing Delivery Programme in October 2021, and planning permission was granted in February 2026. Financial appraisals confirmed the scheme's viability and value for money. The procurement process involved a re-tendering exercise after the initial tender received only one compliant bid that was not deemed to represent sufficient value for money. The second procurement exercise, conducted via the LCP Dynamic Purchasing System, resulted in the identification of Contractor A as the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).

Alternative options considered included not proceeding with the development, which was rejected as it would fail to address housing need and make ineffective use of council land. Proceeding without appropriating the site for planning purposes was also rejected due to the potential risk of legal challenges from third-party rights. Finally, not re-appropriating the land back to housing purposes after completion was rejected as the homes are intended to remain within the Housing Revenue Account as council housing.

The development is designed to high sustainability standards, incorporating Passivhaus principles to minimise energy demand and reduce operational carbon emissions. It will feature air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. The design also includes measures to mitigate overheating and improve natural light and ventilation. The project has also been shortlisted for the 2026 Housing Design Awards.

A Section 105 consultation with existing residents was undertaken, addressing concerns about the loss of 40 car parking spaces and the relocation of bin stores. Mitigations include offering residents permits for surrounding controlled parking zones, designating the new homes as car-free, and including one dedicated disabled bay for the adapted home. The council will also conduct a formal parking survey and consider enhanced CCTV coverage and lighting to address anti-social behaviour concerns. The cost of re-providing bin stores will be fully covered by the council.