Lambeth Council's planning committee has given the green light to a major £114 million regeneration private finance initiative (PFI) housing scheme.

The project will transform the outdated Myatt's Field North housing estate in Brixton into a modern state-of-the-art example of sustainable community housing.

The plans will make the estate safer, more open, green, and welcoming, with all homes benefitting from private outdoor areas, such as gardens, terraces and balconies.

The improved park and open spaces will be planted with additional native tree species and enhanced with fruit trees and a community garden.

Private cars will be discouraged, with a reduction in car parking spaces and the introduction of pedestrian priority 'homezones' which will see every individual property benefiting from a cycle parking space. There will also be additional on-street visitor cycle stands, a subsidised car club and improved cycle and bus provision.


The £114 million PFI funded regeneration scheme is the first in England to combine homes for sale with homes for rent. It will take five years to complete and includes:

• demolition and reprovision of 305 homes for existing residents
• refurbishment and modernisation of 172 existing homes to Decent Homes standards
• building 357 new homes for sale
• construction of an additional 141 new affordable homes
• construction of a new landscaped park and sports facilities
• provision of a new community centre, crèche and community café
• a car club with subsidised membership and improvements to cycle and bus provision
• new streets and green spaces including the reintroduction of a 'lost' London square
• a combined heat and power plant providing heat and hot water to the estate
• refurbishing commercial units on the estate and the provision of a new local retail unit
• the introduction of homezones with pedestrian priority over vehicles

The application will now be referred to the Greater London Authority for final approval with construction due to begin in early 2011.

(CD/KMcA)