Hillingdon Council has reached two major construction milestones in projects aimed at improving housing provision and expanding specialist school capacity in the borough.

On 20 March, work officially began on the redevelopment of the Haydon Drive site in Northwood Hills. The project will replace 16 outdated studio bungalows with 21 new family-sized homes, including six three-bedroom and 15 four-bedroom properties. The development is designed to address the growing demand for larger council homes among established residents.

Three of the new homes will be fully adaptable for wheelchair users, with features that can be tailored to support families with complex needs. Residents previously living on the site have already been moved into suitable alternative accommodation, while reusable materials such as relatively new boilers have been salvaged for use elsewhere in the council’s housing stock. The scheme is expected to be completed in 2028.

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Council representatives attended a groundbreaking ceremony alongside contractor Bugler Developments to mark the start of construction.

Meanwhile, progress is also continuing on the expansion of Meadow High School, aimed at increasing the number of places available for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A topping-out ceremony was held the same day to mark the completion of the roof structure for the project’s second phase.

The new satellite facility on Northwood Road will provide 90 additional SEND school places. Built on the site of a former residential block once associated with Harefield Academy, the new building will include 10 classrooms, specialist teaching spaces for subjects such as science, art and food technology, and dedicated therapy rooms.

The facility will also feature a library, physiotherapy areas, a fitness room, medical and hygiene facilities, dining areas, and staff and breakout spaces. The school is scheduled to open at the start of the next academic year.