New "high quality" families and homes hub construction to create jobs in London borough

Waltham Forest Council has appointed Hill Partnerships Ltd to build the new Families and Homes Hub, on the site of the former Wood Street Library.

The Families & Homes Hub will provide a range of customer facing services, all of which will be provided by Waltham Forest Council, in a single modern, integrated setting. Residents will be able to access the Council’s social care and housing teams in a “safe and welcoming environment”.

The delivery of the 750 sq m Families and Homes Hub will be enabled by a residential development of 67 new homes for local people, including 50 per cent affordable housing (18 homes for social rent and 14 for shared ownership), which will be managed by the Council.

The “high-quality” design of the building will create a landmark on the junction of Wood Street and Forest Road, provide 50 sqm of commercial floor space for a potential small shop or café, a resident’s garden, 4 accessible parking spaces, and cycle parking.

In addition to this development, the project will also deliver social value to the borough and its residents, including nine apprenticeships and three work placements during the construction phase. Hill Partnerships Ltd has also committed to deliver various initiatives that will support local employment and training opportunities.

Planning permission was obtained in October 2021. Hill has now taken possession of the site and is expected to start construction in February 2022. The scheme will be completed in Spring 2024.

Cllr Simon Miller, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Hill Partnerships Ltd to build the high-quality and innovative Families and Homes Hub.

“Hill will provide apprenticeships and work placements on site and have committed to delivering various initiatives to support local employment and training opportunities which go over and beyond the social value commitment secured through the planning process.”

Andy Hill, group chief executive at Hill, added: “We are delighted to be delivering this community space which will give residents a place to come together and form new friendships. Community hubs are invaluable in today’s modern world where it is far too easy to stay in your home and not participate in society.

“At Hill, we are passionate about creating social value and this project will enable us to offer employment and training to many young people who are keen to kick start a career in construction”.

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