Nearly 150 new homes are to be built in Brent, London.

Wates Residential has secured a £23.4 million contract to deliver the Knowles House redevelopment in Harlesden.

Features include developing two new buildings comprising 149 new homes - 92 homes for temporary accommodation and 57 for independent living - to support some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. Work is to begin this year and completion is scheduled for December 2021.

The project is being delivered as part of Brent Coouncil's Temporary Accommodation Reform Plan, which will see £130m invested on up to 600 new homes over a three-year period, improving housing for vulnerable residents in the borough.

As part of the project, Wates Residential and Brent Council have also made a joint pledge to provide employment and training opportunities for local residents, while partnerships could be made with Brent schools to provide pupils with meaningful insight into the construction sector, career talks and curriculum support. In addition, ex-offenders could also be helped into employment through the project as part of their rehabilitation.

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Paul Nicholls, Managing Director of Wates Residential South, said: "Wates Residential is proud to have been chosen as the London Borough of Brent's trusted partner for the Knowles House redevelopment. We are excited to start work on the project, which will provide much-needed high-quality housing for some of the people who need it most.

"We will be giving back to the community throughout the process, whether that be through our pledge to improve employment opportunities for local people or our passion to teach the next generation about construction. At Wates Residential, our focus is always on not only creating great homes but also delivering lasting legacies for the community through our investment in employment, training and skills."

Deputy Council Leader Margaret McLennan said: "The redevelopment of Knowles House is a key part of our plan to provide better quality accommodation for residents in need of housing, but the benefits of this project don't end there.

"In Wates, we'll be working with an organisation that understands our values as we seek to ensure job and training opportunities for local residents, particularly for our unemployed, and ensure that everyone involved in the project is paid at least the London Living wage."

(LM/MH)