Hammersmith & Fulham: A borough undergoing change

Hammersmith & Fulham Council have recently announced plans to inject £1.6 million into the development of homes and public areas within the borough.

The developments will include making improvements to communal spaces, gardens and play areas on three housing estates.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds will be pumped into improving the environment on the Emlyn Gardens, Becklow Gardens and Sulivan Court estates.

In addition, money raised through the sale of vacant properties on estates that had become too costly to maintain will be reinvested in the £1.637 million improvement project.

The borough has already hit the headlines this month after the council launched the 'right to buy part' initiative, which aims to create more home ownership opportunities for local people who may be having trouble getting onto the housing ladder. The scheme was backed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and allows the sitting tenant the opportunity to buy a minimum of a 15 per cent share of their home.

This new announcement by the council is set to focus on revamping the areas around the homes in the borough - making it a much more pleasant place to live.

Commenting on the developments, councillor Andrew Johnson, H&F cabinet member for housing said that the scheme aims to benefit all tenants and residents in the affected areas.

He added: "Residents have asked us for certain improvement work to be carried out and we have listened. They can expect to see better looking, safer and all-round improved outside areas once work is complete," he added.

Improvements at Emlyn, in Askew ward, could include new landscaping, in addition to new plays areas and facilities. Sulivan Court residents, in Fulham, will see a disused tarmacked court turned into a green space, with work carried out on the car park and nearby shops.

The project is due to begin next month and further discussions with residents and stakeholders will take place early this year.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council said that they hoped the work would be complete by next year.

Published 20th January, 2014

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