Developments in London’s Residential Construction Coming Soon!

Adequate housing is a basic right that everyone is entitled to, yet in London today, an affordable housing gap continues to persist, with the majority of residential construction being high-end and unaffordable for most. At Jerram Falkus, we recognise this and are ready to play our part in London’s much-needed social housing renaissance. 

A roof over people’s heads is not sufficient alone to constitute adequate housing. There are several elements to this, which include sufficient privacy, space, security, lighting and ventilation, and basic infrastructure, all at a reasonable price. 

Over the past four years, efforts made by Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London), have resulted in the construction of a record-breaking number of social homes that can genuinely be classified as “adequate” and according to a recent announcement he has made, there is hopefully much more to come.  

RESIDENTIAL construction in London: What to Expect by 2026

On the 24th of November, the Mayor announced a new five-year programme called the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP). This will be implemented in April 2021 and run alongside the current 2016-23 programme (extended by a year owing to the fallout of the coronavirus crisis).

The aim is to construct as many as 82, 000 homes over the next 5 years. Quantity is not the sole objective, however, as these homes are to be built following strict standards that will ensure the highest levels of quality along with the following outcomes:

1. Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability

In compliance with the Mayor’s target to make London a zero-carbon city by 2030, these homes will be built according to a set of green standards. They will be required to be net-zero carbon and to contain sustainable urban green spaces.

2. Safety

The homes will be built in accordance with new fire safety standards. These include: 

  • Mandatory set up of fire suppression systems such as sprinklers.
  • A prohibition of the use of flammable materials in the exterior walls of all buildings irrespective of their height. 

3. Comfort and Excellent Design

To increase comfort and ensure that these homes are well-suited for family life, new spacing and lighting standards have been set. These include minimum floor-to-ceiling heights and obligatory private outdoor space.

A New Generation of RESIDENTIAL construction

At Jerram Falkus we have been building social housing since the “Home for Heroes” initiative in 1919 and continue to undertake residential construction projects for Local Authorities and Housing Associations across London. One recent example is the Sebastian Court Project. 

We are eager to contribute to the next generation of social housing, and if you are planning a project, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch with us and we would be happy to offer some guidance, or set up an appointment. 

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