The programme of regeneration in South Kilburn is nearing an important landmark stage with some lucky residents making preparations to move into McDonald House on Malvern Road with the first tenants expected to pick up their new keys in early December. Many are relocating from Bond House and Cambridge and Ely Courts, which in time will be demolished and re-developed as the next stages of South Kilburn’s regeneration process.

McDonald House, which offers a mix of 20 new apartments and six maisonettes, was completed in late summer. Network Stadium arranged a special pre-move afternoon tea party at the end of September, enabling residents to have a good look around their new homes. An official opening is being organised for 10th January and present on that day will be David McDonald, who was chair of the board of Willow Housing Association and who the new development is named after.

Also attending will be Anthony Mayer, Chair of the Tenants Services Authority, and Helen Evans, Chief Executive of Network Housing Group.

Elsewhere, according to Alexander Hearn, from the Regeneration and Major Projects team at Brent Council: “Progress continues apace with the development of new homes for South Kilburn tenants.” Next due for completion, during 2012, are Catalyst Housing Group’s Merle Court on Carlton Vale and London & Quadrant’s (L&Q) Albert Road Phase 1 development.

At Merle Court good progress is being made, says Kevin Lambert, project manager for Willmott Dixon, which is developing the site for Catalyst.

Work at the moment includes dry lining work and important electrical installations as well as the installation of solar panels.

At its Albert Road development L&Q, which is working with Denne, says it is now over 70% of the way through construction. External cladding and glazing, and internal decoration are under way. L&Q is also now steaming ahead with its second scheme in South Kilburn – at the former roundabout site in Carlton Vale. The company says it is already about half way through erecting the concrete frame structure. The scheme is due for completion in 2013. New names for both L&Q schemes are being developed with the local authority

Future Plans
The council now hopes to appoint a development partner for three further sites in the New Year. The sites include the current Wells Court, Cambridge Court, Ely Court, Bond House and Hicks Bolton House.

Plans are also emerging for two more sites with a view to making planning applications in the New Year. In place of the tower blocks of Bronte House and Fielding House will be low rise mansion blocks separated by a garden.

At a recent event held at the Marian Centre, future residents were able to see how the homes could look inside and out and inspect a scale model. The council says future tenants seemed to like the new designs being much lower than the current blocks, as well as the internal layouts and communal garden space.

At land next to Queen’s Park Station, the council says the intention is to take out the gyratory to simplify the junction. There will be new homes, some local retail and a new public space.

Architects Maccreanor Lavington are working on designs to keep the height of the building below the 12 storeys agreed in the council’s planning brief for the site.

There will be a New Homes Exhibitions held at a number of stages of the development - see the Consultation Events page for details.