Pilot scheme aims to identify 12-20 local authority sites in London on which to rapidly build new homes

The Greater London Authority is considering launching a pilot programme to build rapidly up to 600 homes on local authority land in the capital.

The scheme, known as the London Popular Home Pilot Project, is being driven by consultant Urban Initiatives. It says it wants to identify 鈥渁t least six contractors/ developers and four social landlords鈥� to carry out the pilot.

A selection of developers has been asked to attend a working group on the 21 September to discuss how the delivery of a generation of 鈥渘ew Georgian鈥� housing can be funded.
Although the project has not received full GLA sign-off contractor and consultant Mace has been engaged alongside Urban Initiatives, consultant Navigant and agent Lambert Smith Hampton to help scope and co-ordinate the pilot project.

In an email to selected developers, seen by 黑洞社区, Urban Initiative鈥檚 managing director Kelvin Campbell said the pilot will aim to identify 12-20 sites within 6-10 London boroughs on which to test the pilot. It plans to use standardised development lots based on design codes that can be adapted to different situations, and aims to get 鈥渁 sizeable number of new homes on site within a year鈥�.

Participating contractors and developers will be paid using a combination of a 鈥渃ost-plus鈥� contract and a proportion of completed sales profits.

The scheme is being worked up with David Lunts, the executive director of the housing and regeneration directorate at the GLA. It is understood not to have full sign-off at this stage.
Campbell鈥檚 email said: 鈥淭he project will unlock new ways of planning, designing and delivering housing for the capital.鈥�

Contacted by 黑洞社区, Campbell said the GLA would wait to see 鈥渨hat comes out of the meeting on 21st鈥� before deciding whether to proceed.

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