Brent Council and Wates have commenced construction on the Zephaniah House site in Wembley, marking the start of a project to deliver 54 affordable homes. A ground-breaking ceremony celebrated the official start on site.

The Zephaniah House development, formerly Ujima House, will also include workspace and a cafe to benefit the local community. The former office building was demolished last year, and construction is now underway.

This project follows significant progress at the nearby Cecil Avenue site, the former Copland School, where 237 new homes, including 87 affordable units, are being built. The Cecil Avenue development will also feature a public garden and play area, commercial spaces for local businesses, and a community hall. Both projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

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Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, said: "These new homes are an important part of our ongoing efforts to address the housing affordability crisis here in Brent. I am pleased that by the end of next year, we will have new homes for local families a stone's throw away from each other."

Paul Nicholls, Regional Managing Director for London at Wates, commented: "Benjamin Zephaniah's work was all about unity, belonging, and breaking down barriers – and that's exactly what we're doing here in Wembley. At Zephaniah House, we're delivering 54 affordable homes, alongside new spaces for local businesses and the community. Together with the 87 affordable homes at Cecil Avenue, we're creating 141 much-needed affordable homes, giving families the security and opportunity to thrive. We're proud to be working with Brent Council to bring this vision to life."

The ground-breaking event also marked the launch of a £300,000 Community Chest Fund. This fund will support community-led projects across Brent over the next three years, with grant applications of up to £10,000 now open. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, 23 March 2025.