Joanna Lumley opens landmark new Stockwell development

Our new award-winning landmark development for Stockwell was officially opened in absolutely fabulous style yesterday by television and film star Joanna Lumley.

Park Heights is the latest phase of Network Homes’ £175 million regeneration of the Stockwell Park Estate. The new 159 home building replaces a poor quality 1960s tower block, which previously sat on the site.

The distinctive 20-storey building, built by national developer, Wates Residential, includes 84 homes for social rent and 75 apartments for private sale, and boasts a roof garden with panoramic views across London. All of the homes also have large balconies looking out across London. Many of the former residents of the old tower block chose to return and now have brand new homes still at social rents.

In September, Park Heights was awarded the prestigious ‘Best Design’ award at the National Housing Awards 2016. Earlier this year Network Homes’ Stockwell Park scheme also won Best Regeneration Project at the Evening Standard’s New Homes Awards.

When the regeneration is fully complete in 2018/19, the estate will comprise over 1,600 homes, with a broad mix of tenures and incomes. There will be no loss of social and affordable housing overall.

Ms Lumley, who lives in the Stockwell area said: “I am so proud and happy to be at the opening of the wonderful Park Heights. I love the fact that the greater number of homes are affordable, and that all the apartments are the same, whether privately owned or otherwise. 

“As a Lambeth resident for 25 years I feel very privileged to be in such a forward-looking borough: and as a Stockwellian I am thrilled that Park Heights is standing in all its glory in our local community.”

Helen Evans, Chief Executive of Network Homes said: “We have invested strongly in Stockwell Park over the ten years of our involvement and worked closely with local residents and Lambeth Council to ensure the homes we’re creating meet key local needs. Park Heights is the jewel in the crown of our regeneration project, and it is rewarding to see that so many of the tenants of the original block chose to return to live here and enjoy the new high quality homes.“

Paul Nicholls, Regional Managing Director of Wates Residential, said: “The strength of our relationship with Network Homes has enabled us to work in partnership to not only create high quality new homes for the people of Stockwell, but also to achieve impeccable standards in design and finish. As experts in community regeneration, Wates understands the importance of ensuring investment in housing brings with it opportunities to benefit the community and economy, a commitment we will continue to fulfil as our work with Network Homes continues.”