Wates in £9.4m housing association contract

Wates Residential has extended its partnership with the housing association Orbit after being appointed to help deliver a £9.4 million project for new homes in the London Borough of Bexley. The national developer is working with Orbit to build the West Street redevelopment in Erith, south east London. 

The proposed scheme will see vacant buildings including a former car parts warehouse replaced with a contemporary low-rise design including seven homes for London Affordable Rent, 14 homes for London Living Rent and 21 homes for Shared Ownership sale. The plans also include a car park with electric charging points and large community garden. 

The development of the site forms part of Orbit’s long-term strategy for delivering high-quality new homes in Erith and the wider region, and will contribute towards improvements to the quality of the streetscape and the overall appearance of the local area. 

As part of the West Street project, Wates Residential and Orbit have also pledged to provide employment and training opportunities for local residents, delivering a lasting legacy for the community. Commitments include the provision of work experience placements, careers advice events, promoting and working with local social enterprises, and DIY workshops for local people to learn skills such as plumbing and tiling.

Successful record with housing association

It follows Orbit and Wates Residential’s successful regeneration of Larner Road into the award-winning Erith Park in Bexley. The former council estate was transformed and rebuilt into 588 new homes, with tower blocks replaced by a low to medium rise development of apartments and houses for affordable rent, shared ownership and market sale. 

Erith Park has already led to a substantial reduction in crime thanks to a major community-led effort and police crime prevention techniques. It now has 80% less crime compared to the rest of the ward it sits within, according to the Metropolitan Police. 

Wates Residential has also been appointed to help deliver Orbit’s proposed £95 million regeneration of the Arthur Street housing estate in Bexley. The proposed scheme will feature around 280 new homes, of which 80% will be for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Paul Nicholls, Managing Director of Wates Residential, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our award-winning work with Orbit, which has already led to more than 700 new homes in Bexley either being built or in the pipeline. 

“We look forward to getting started on the West Street project, which will not only deliver more crucial housing for the area but will also lead to increased employment and training opportunities for local residents.”

Shina Olalekan, Head of Development at Orbit, said: “We are pleased to once again be partnering with Wates to deliver much needed affordable housing to local people in Bexley. Wates understands our aim of ‘building thriving communities’ and we look forward to delivering more high-quality homes for local families who need them.”

See wates.co.uk for more information on its projects with the housing association.