Plans to regenerate a South London estate with 2,550 homes, better community facilities and a new park are set to be reviewed. Wandsworth Council will investigate delivering more affordable homes on the Winstanley and York Road Estate by reviewing the approved masterplan for its regeneration, after the authority changed hands from the Conservatives to Labour in 2022.
The council has agreed a settlement to allow developer Taylor Wimpey to exit the joint venture set up in 2017 to regenerate the estate in Battersea, so that it can prioritise the delivery of affordable homes. The review will consider the level of affordable housing and community facilities proposed in the masterplan.
The masterplan includes the demolition of 759 homes on the estate, in tower blocks up to 16 storeys tall, for 2,550 new homes, including 35 per cent affordable housing, in tower blocks up to 32 storeys tall. The plans date back to 2012 and were approved in 2020.
The council is renewing momentum for the regeneration plans following recent delays
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
The first phase of the scheme has already been completed and includes 139 new homes, a games area, play area and the replacement of Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel Baptist Church. The authority is set to complete another block of 126 council homes by April, which will allow some tenants and leaseholders to move. Their empty properties will be available for use as temporary accommodation until the review.
The council is also progressing plans to build another block of 127 homes on the estate, with the aim of starting construction in January 2026. It will develop plans for the rest of the scheme by carrying out the review.
A new report by council officers said the review will ‘deliver renewed momentum for the Winstanley and York Road masterplan following recent delays’. It said: “There is not an intention to recommence a full masterplan and development proposal process as was previously undertaken from 2013. A new masterplan is not proposed, and the existing approval sets an important principle that a redevelopment of the site for a majority housing-led development with an increase in overall housing density is acceptable.
“The review is to adapt the existing scheme and masterplan to ensure it is fit-for-purpose now. For large-scale, long-term developments of this kind this is not an unusual occurrence. The relevance here is increased as it is logical to explore possible adaptations that may deliver a better fit with the new administration’s objectives.”
The council will look at whether it could pursue building more affordable homes on the estate and changing the proposed mix of tenures in the review. It will also reconsider the designs of the replacement children’s centre, community centre and library, along with the planned new leisure centre.
The authority will draw up a revised planning application for the masterplan if needed after the review, with the aim of submitting it at the end of 2026. The Greater London Authority (GLA) would then decide on the application in due course.
Labour Council Leader Simon Hogg said: “The primary objective of the Winstanley and York Road regeneration project is to urgently deliver much-needed council housing. With this in mind, we have come to a mutual agreement to end our joint working. While we are disappointed to end our partnership with Taylor Wimpey, this provides us with an opportunity to review the scheme and seek to deliver even more affordable homes.”
James Lidgate, Managing Director for Taylor Wimpey London, added: “We recognise that a change in strategic direction of the project has meant that Wandsworth Council is best-placed to deliver the scheme alone moving forward, however we are proud of the work that we have carried out to date to deliver the Winstanley and York Road scheme in partnership with the council. This is a significant regeneration project and we look forward to seeing its completion and the benefits it brings to the borough.”
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