The Verdean

Work at The Verdean is currently running to schedule, reports developer Mount Anvil.

The team are now working on a particularly complicated part of the concrete frame for The Oak, the sold-out building at the heart of the Verdean. The coming weeks will then see the frame quickly rise to level three and up.

Two other buildings containing affordable housing provided by Catalyst, are taking shape, with Block G’s concrete frame already complete, its steel frame up to the fifth-floor level, and external brickwork underway.

Block A’s concrete frame build is ongoing, with the roof currently being cast and due for completion imminently. Both blocks are also due to start installing windows soon.

Mount Anvil has also been busy meeting with businesses interested in moving into the development’s commercial units.

Mount Anvil and Catalyst have changed their planning proposals for the regeneration scheme at Friary Park. The revised proposals see no increase to the height of the tallest buildings while still delivering improvements for a healthy, working community and more affordable homes.

In response to the pandemic, Mount Anvil and Catalyst are seeking to enhance the planning application to deliver an additional 106 affordable homes as part of phase one with the additional private homes being deferred to a later construction phase.

The Friary Park regeneration first received planning permission for 990 homes, of which 45% would be genuinely affordable, in 2019.

The plans would also provide improved commercial spaces, of which 40% will be affordable workspace and 6% dedicated to local independent businesses, more sustainable green spaces, a new children’s play space, cycle hub and an improved community facility, all just a few minutes’ walk from the Acton Mainline Crossrail station.

The revised design will retain all of the outside space and amenity improvements, whilst maximising affordable housing delivery and not compromising on the design quality of the new buildings. The joint venture aims to deliver an additional 106 affordable homes in phase one as part of these proposals.

Marcus Bate, Partnerships and Communities Director at Mount Anvil, commented: “Our business is built on collaboration and listening. We’ve listened to concerns about the proposed increase in height to the four tallest buildings at Friary Park and we are collaborating closely with Ealing’s planners to find a better solution that achieves the same community benefits. We will ensure the revised design will retain all of the outside space and amenity improvements that we’d promised to residents, whilst maximising affordable housing delivery and not compromising on the design quality of the new buildings. Our new proposals will help deliver an outstanding healthy working community at Friary Park.”

Richard Smith, Managing Director of New Homes London at Catalyst added: “I’m delighted that we are able to further revise the plans to keep our promises to residents and mean new affordable homes are coming to Ealing sooner than originally planned. Those community-oriented communal outdoor spaces and enlarged balconies for all homes are going to really enhance the lives of Friary Park’s residents.”