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Darwin House

About the project

On 8 June 2021, we were granted permission to build new homes on the site of the former Balmoral Castle Pub and current Darwin House. The project will provide the Churchill Gardens estate with much-needed affordable housing and new community supported homes, which will be twice the size of the current Darwin House community supported home bedsits.

The project will deliver:

  • 34 new community supported homes for Darwin House residents, which are twice the size of the current bedsits
  • 18 new high-quality, affordable homes for local residents
  • Landscaped green space for enjoyment of the Churchill Gardens community

Project status

On 20 June 2022, our construction partner Wates took possession of the site. Following successful demolition last summer and early works completing in Spring 2023, we officially entered in to contract with Wates Residential to deliver a ‘New Darwin House’ as well as a second block of affordable homes on the Churchill Gardens estate.

Wates have begun to build 34 new community supported homes, initially to provide new modern accommodation for the existing residents of Darwin House. These homes will be twice the size of the current bedsits in Darwin House and provide high quality, energy efficient apartments.

The second block, where construction has not yet started, will bring 18 new, high-quality, much needed affordable, intermediate rent homes to Churchill Gardens which will be made available to local residents first. Using air source heat pumps, the new homes will contribute to our aim of being a net zero borough by 2030. The scheme is delivering 52 much needed affordable homes in South Westminster as part of our commitment to delivering a Fairer Westminster.

Get in touch

Please get in touch with our Regeneration team to learn more about the project by emailing [email protected]

Alternatively, you can contact your Wates Resident Liaison Officer, Sinead, by phone 07999407318 or by email [email protected]

Newsletters

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Darwin House newsletter, November 2023
Document
Darwin and Balmoral newsletter, July 2023
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Darwin House newsletter, May 2023
Darwin House newsletter, May 2023 PDF, 197.71 KB, 2 pages

Background documents

View the booklet used in community consultation in 2020:

To view full details of the planning permission documentation, please visit the planning portal.

Construction Liaison Group

The Construction Liaison Group was established in 2021. The group was set-up in order to enable the team working on the project to provide updates on upcoming works, and for members of the community to discuss any issues, concerns or matters that may arise throughout the redevelopment. The group is made up of Darwin House residents, neighbouring residents from Churchill Gardens and representatives from Wates and the council.

You can find a summary of discussion from the most recent meetings below:

Site address

Grosvenor Road, London, SW1V 3LH