1.5m New Homes

What does pragmatic leadership look like in practice? When a 1,500-home scheme in Edmonton Green stalled because of buried infrastructure, Enfield Council didn’t step back — it stepped up. Joanne Drew, Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration, explains how her team used creative funding and a pro-growth planning culture to unblock delivery — and what other councils can learn from their appro...

What does regeneration really mean for the people who live through it? Cllr Ayten Guzel, Cabinet Member for Housing at Enfield Council, shares the human story behind the Alma Estate — how partnership, trust and good design have turned three ageing tower blocks into safe, modern homes that residents helped shape. She reflects on the real lessons for future projects — the importance of community eng...

What can the next generation of New Towns learn from the last? Enfield has been recommended by the Government’s New Towns Taskforce for a development of up to 20,000 homes at Crews Hill — the largest and greenest new settlement ever proposed in London. Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader of Enfield Council), Anthony Boden (Lovell) and Tom Conlon (Red Loft) discuss how to build a modern new town that works —...

Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council, shares his vision for a borough that’s growing fast — and the leadership it takes to turn that growth into better homes and stronger communities. From Meridian Water’s 10,000-home programme to investment in local streets and schools, he explains how Enfield is proving that local government can be both ambitious and accountable. 🎥 Part of 1.5 Million Ne...

We are pleased to share this month's webinar from 1.5M New Homes: The Local Government Challenge, with London Borough of Sutton. "Viability vs Deliverability: Will Possible Affordability Changes Really Get More Homes Built in London?" This webinar features: Meera Bedi- Housing Programme Consultant at The Future of London Tracy Bradwell- Land & Viability Director at Red Loft Anna Clarke- Direct...

How do local people really feel about new homes? In this episode, Millie Dodd from Shared Voice speaks with residents in Sutton about housing, affordability, and why more homes matter for future generations. From changing high streets to the cost of ownership, they share honest reflections on what’s at stake — and why balanced, sustainable development is vital for the next generation. 🎥 Part of 1...

How do you balance growth, community, and place? Cllr Jake Short, Chair of Housing, Economy & Business at the London Borough of Sutton, explains how the borough’s Local Plan keeps new development under control — meeting housing targets while protecting Sutton’s green, suburban character. Jake shares how clear communication, collaboration and realistic engagement with residents help councils de...

What makes working in public-sector housing special? Shivam Tandale, an LSE urban-planning graduate, asks Adam Tucker, Sutton’s Head of Housing Regeneration, why he should build his career in local-government housing delivery. Adam explains the attraction: the satisfaction of building homes people genuinely need, the creativity of working with fewer resources, and the chance to make a visible diff...

What makes a council great to work with? At Elm Grove Estate in Sutton, Lovell Partnerships are delivering a major regeneration scheme in partnership with Sutton Council. In this film, Lorraine Casey and Neil Brooks from Lovell explain what makes Sutton stand out — clear objectives, honest dialogue, and a genuine partnership built on trust and delivery. They also discuss how the Building Safety Ac...

Head of Housing Regeneration Adam Tucker explains what needs to change to get more homes built — from the level of grant funding and local authority finance to the way we attract people into the sector. At Elm Grove, Sutton is replacing 73 outdated homes with 277 new ones. Adam shares how the council is anticipating new policy requirements, planning for long-term risk, and focusing on people, not...

Helen Bailey, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Sutton, explains why housing is central to everything councils do — from public health and education to economic renewal. With 1,150 families in temporary accommodation, Sutton’s ambition for new, high-quality homes is about giving residents security and opportunity.

Sutton’s Director of Housing, Linmora Blair, discusses the borough’s growing housing need and how regeneration is creating new opportunities. With 2,000 families on the waiting list, Sutton is working with partners such as Berkeley to deliver 500 new homes over five years, meeting local demand and supporting new communities.

How do new council homes change people’s lives? In Sutton, Jean and Russell share what moving into their new homes has meant for them. Jean worked in the NHS and raised three children in a council house; Russell spent years working for Sutton Council itself, driving HGVs and keeping Sutton’s streets clean. Their stories show that council homes don’t just support people in need — they give working...

Spencer Palmer takes us to Beech Tree Place, one of Sutton’s largest affordable housing projects. He explains how Sutton is balancing ambition with financial realism — funding over 600 new homes, improving sustainability, and setting long-term value through Passivhaus-quality design.

When Sutton’s contractor went bust halfway through a 100% affordable housing scheme, most councils would have had to start again. Instead, the team at Sutton — led by Adam Tucker with support from Red Loft, Bugler Developments and consultants CPC — brought the site back to life. At Beech Tree Place, 92 homes are now being completed on time and on budget thanks to collaboration, trust and pragmatic...

Sutton’s first Passivhaus-standard council homes — 11 new flats at Wiltshire House in Wallington. Councillor Jake Short explains how Sutton Council is using small sites and direct delivery to raise standards, cut tenants’ energy bills by 40%, and set the benchmark for future council housing.

Chairman Killian Hurley was kind enough to share with us some of the wisdom that has enabled Mount Anvil to drive forward eight estate regeneration projects in seven London boroughs during the last five years – all subject to build cost inflation, new building regulations and a tough sales market – delivering 4,490 homes, including 1,596 affordable. “And there’s a clear pathway on all those scheme...

The masterplan to deliver 3,000 new homes at Staples Corner was two-and-a-half years in the making. Brent Council Regeneration Manager Kiran Chauhan describes her role in it, her pride in its adoption last November, and the joy she takes in testing ideas, and discovering innovations, that come from gathering different talents and experiences in collaboration to squeeze as much as possible out of c...

Visiting Wembley High Road with Brent Council Head of Regeneration Jonathan Kay, we look at housing delivery in a "tight urban environment” very different from neighbouring Wembley Park: Cecil Avenue and Ujima House (renamed Zephaniah House, after the poet), providing 291 homes, 50% affordable, plus commercial and community spaces, in partnership with Wates.

As Brent Council explores how to bring forward sites around Wembley Park, head of planning and development services David Glover discusses development costs and risks and how they are amplified by changing circumstances – even at a location with huge capacity and potential to deliver homes and jobs, with really good public transport access, near a major town centre, which isn’t going to impact exi...

Head of Planning and Development Services David Glover examines aspects of engagement, including AI and digital engagement models (with a shout out for Cornwall Council’s work); how the council involves its communities in creating its Local Plan (and what should happen when a Local Plan is not adopted); and operating a strategic planning committee (and how it anticipates the Government’s planning...

Our conversation with Gerry Ansell, Director of Inclusive Regeneration and Climate Action at Brent Council, takes in the council’s role in delivering Wembley Park, the difficulties of direct delivery, the valuable role of planning committees and building safety regulation.

In the sunny, verdant setting of the new Union Park, we meet John Stiles, Placemaking Manager at Brent Council, to talk about the success of the surrounding Wembley Park development – and the one thing he would change, if starting the scheme again from scratch.

Describing her pride in providing homes for people of many nationalities and cultures, London Borough of Brent Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, Councillor Teo Benea sets out an ambition to build 23,000 new homes in the next few years. But beyond the homes themselves, she asks developers in the borough to focus on the spaces around them – especially places that enable that di...

We are pleased to share this month's webinar from 1.5M New Homes: The Local Government Challenge, with London Borough of Camden. "Bold decisions: Councils thinking commercially" This webinar features: David Burns- Director of Economy, Regeneration and Investment at London Borough of Camden Anna Clarke- Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Housing Forum Tom Conlon- Development Director at R...