Hillingdon Council has marked two construction milestones which will deliver 21 much-needed family sized homes for established residents and 90 vital new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
On Friday 20 March, the council celebrated the beginning of work on the redevelopment of Haydon Drive, which will transform 16 existing small studio bungalows, which are no longer fit for purpose, into six three-bed and 15 four-bed properties for established Hillingdon residents, helping to address the borough’s pressing need for larger council homes.
Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council’s Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, and Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth took part in a groundbreaking ceremony, with Bugler Developments, the development contractor at the site in Northwood Hills.
Three of the homes will also be fully adaptable for wheelchair access, with flexible features that can be tailored by the council to provide improved living conditions for families with complex needs as required.
Since planning permission was granted in September, residents living in the existing properties have been relocated to appropriate alternative housing, and assets such as boilers under five years old were removed for refurbishment and re-use within the council’s housing stock. The project is set to be completed in 2028.
Cllr Tuckwell, said: “Larger homes are greatly sought after, and I’m delighted to see works commence at Haydon Drive which will transform the outdated site, unlock more high quality council homes which meet the needs of established Hillingdon residents, and revitalise the neighbourhood.”
Construction work is also continuing at pace on the second phase of the council’s Meadow High School expansion project which will increase vital SEND places.
Cllr Bianco and Cllr Susan O’Brien, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, took part in a topping out ceremony, signifying the completion in construction terms of the roof structure, on 20 March, with representatives from the development contractor, Graham.
The satellite school on Northwood Road, replaces an unused residential block which was formerly part of Harefield academy, and once complete will feature 10 classrooms, including art, food technology, science and therapy rooms, as well a library/common room.
The site also features spaces for physiotherapy sessions and a fitness room, along with hygiene rooms, medical facilities, kitchen and dining areas, a conference room, breakout spaces and general staff areas. The school is due to open at the start of the new academic year.
Cllr O’Brien said: “I’m delighted to see the progress made at the Meadow satellite site and what will be a fantastic and much-needed facility, providing more places for children with SEND in our borough.
“We continue to deliver on our pledge to provide pupils in Hillingdon with a high quality and fully inclusive education, helping them to reach their full potential in a supportive learning environment."
