Construction has officially commenced on the first phase of the Church Street Regeneration Programme in London. Westminster City Council has broken ground on Site A, marking the start of a major multi-phase redevelopment delivered via the Church Street Partnership, a joint venture between the Council and developer Mount Anvil.

The overarching masterplan for Church Street is set to deliver 1,750 modern homes, with 1,150 of these concentrated across the core Sites A, B, and C. A critical component of the procurement and planning strategy is the commitment to affordability; at least 50% of all new units across the scheme are designated as council homes for social rent or subsidised intermediate rent for keyworkers.

As the inaugural construction phase, Site A will provide 430 new homes. The project ensures the re-provision of all existing council homes, maintaining current rent levels for returning secure tenants. Beyond residential units, the construction scope for Site A includes:

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• Civic Infrastructure: The delivery of a new Church Street Library and a modernised playground.

• Public Realm: High-quality green spaces, new pedestrian thoroughfares, and upgrades to the historic Church Street Market to bolster local trade.

• Active Travel: Extensive cycling infrastructure including 1,500 new parking spaces and enhanced routes.

Mount Anvil has committed £1 million in social value funding to support community projects, alongside the creation of new local jobs and training opportunities. This follows a successful 2022 residents' ballot where 73.1% of voters approved the regeneration proposals.

Cllr Ellie Ormsby, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, commented: "The start of construction on site A of Church Street is a major milestone for both the council and the Church Street community. This regeneration is about more than new homes – it's about creating a vibrant, healthy and sustainable neighbourhood for the people who live and work here. We are proud to be delivering high-quality, affordable housing and community spaces designed with and for local residents."

Darragh Hurley, CEO of Mount Anvil, highlighted the importance of the delivery partnership: "In tough times, like today, the power of partnerships shine through. By working together, Mount Anvil and Westminster City Council are building on Church Street's rich character and history to deliver an outstanding place, including 430 high quality new homes, half of which are genuinely affordable. We also believe that local people need to see the benefits of development, so we're proud to have committed £1 million to social value."

The development is being supported by a team of local Community Researchers to ensure ongoing resident engagement throughout the construction lifecycle, with future phases currently in the co-design stage.