Multi-Million Pound Housing Project Ends in Demolition
A row has erupted in West London after it was revealed that 53 taxpayer-funded homes, nearly complete, are to be knocked down. The decision comes after the construction firm hired to build them, Henry Construction, went into administration.
The development at Dean Gardens in Ealing was intended to provide much-needed housing, with 31 of the 53 properties allocated for lower-income families as affordable housing or shared ownership. The project was part of a wider effort to tackle the capital's severe housing shortage.
Chronic Mismanagement Blamed for Costly Failure
The Greater London Authority had backed the scheme with a substantial £100 million grant. Ealing Council subsequently awarded Henry Construction a £40 million contract in January 2022 to carry out the work. However, just 18 months later, the firm collapsed, halting all construction overnight.
Locals and campaigners have expressed their fury, blaming chronic mismanagement for the disastrous waste of public money. Local campaigner Simon Baker told the Architects Journal that the situation was a "mismanagement of mismanagement", chipping away at funds meant for decent, affordable homes.
A Deepening Crisis for London's Affordable Housing
Ealing Council has defended its controversial decision to demolish the structures, stating that a detailed assessment found it to be a more cost-effective and better long-term solution than trying to restart the failed building work. The council also revealed that more than 7,000 local families are in urgent need of affordable housing in the borough.
This demolition is a significant setback for London's affordable housing goals. The capital already has fewer new homes per person than anywhere else in the country. Recent statistics show that the city's target of building 19,000 affordable homes by 2026 is expected to be missed, with a slow start to construction this financial year.
In response to the crisis, Ealing Council highlighted its broader homebuilding programme, noting it has delivered more affordable homes this year than any other London borough and has recently finalised deals to acquire 290 additional homes in Acton and Southall.
