TfL’s largest residential development to date has been given the go-ahead by Ealing Council’s planning committee. The new development, at Bollo Lane in Acton, will provide hundreds of new high-quality and affordable homes on what is currently a brownfield site.

The masterplan, designed in collaboration with architects HOK and East and engineers Mott MacDonald, covers a 3.6 hectare site and spans from Acton Town station in the north to the level crossing towards Chiswick. 

The development will provide 852 new homes spread over nine buildings and will be a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties, suited to all types of households, including first time buyers, families and downsizers. The affordable homes will consist of a combination of homes available at a range of affordable rents, such as discounted market rent and London Affordable Rent, and shared ownership properties.

The area around the new homes has been designed to deliver long-term positive change and sustainability for the local community. As well as looking to incorporate renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, the designs include multiple gardens and new play spaces that the local community as well as residents can enjoy.

The local community will also benefit from improvements to the area that will make it easier for them to travel sustainably too, whether by bike or foot. The designs also allow for the provision of a new cycle zone, alongside new cycle parking.

The vast site will also provide more than 2,300 sqm of commercial space, which could be used as maker-space by local businesses. Combined with the additional retail space that is included as part of the plans, the development will also contribute to and help stimulate the local economy.

The proposals form part of TfL’s wider housing programme, which will provide more than 10,000 homes across the capital as well as a commitment to deliver 50% affordable housing on average across all sites brought to the market since May 2016. Work has started on almost 1,500 homes. Including Bollo Lane, planning committee approval has now been secured for a further 6,650 homes and TfL is awaiting planning committee decisions on almost 1,250 that have already been submitted. During 2021, TfL will be submitting applications for thousands more homes.

Jonathan Cornelius, head of property development at TfL, said: “It is fantastic news to get the go ahead for our plans at Bollo Lane in Acton Town. The proposals have been designed to reflect the area’s heritage and context, such as the Grade II-listed station next to it, and will bring hundreds of much-needed homes to this part of London.

“The scheme has also been designed to benefit the local community with welcoming green spaces, improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities and new commercial opportunities for local businesses. Securing this latest green light at planning committee is an important milestone as it is the largest site on which we have secured planning ourselves. We will shortly be approaching the market for a partner as we strive to deliver these homes – including hundreds of new affordable homes – as fast as we can.”

Mott MacDonald has been involved in the project since 2017 where it supported initial high-level feasibility and viability studies. In 2019, the consultancy was then appointed to provide all engineering and specialist environmental planning support services. The design has been delivered to meet the targets of the emerging draft London Plan and achieves a 65% improvement on building regulations carbon reduction requirements. A best practice approach to maintaining and improving biodiversity has been adopted, along with the provision of public amenity spaces and infrastructure. Together these will promote a healthier and more inclusive neighbourhood, where residents and local communities are encouraged to walk, cycle and use public transport.

Jonathan Todd, Mott MacDonald’s account leader for TfL commercial and property development, said: “Placemaking has been a key focus of the whole project team – to deliver a really high-quality scheme for TfL, and ultimately for the wider community in Acton. Working closely with HOK Architects, we’ve brought together our buildings design and transport engineering expertise, as well our environmental and sustainability know-how to ensure the development opportunities on this constrained site are optimised and deliver significant positive social outcomes.”