Residents settle into first new Council homes in K&C for decades

Residents are settling into their new homes at Acklam Road following the completion of the Council homes last year. 

Last week, Cllr Sof McVeigh, lead member for housing, visited some of the new tenants to hear first-hand how they are finding their new homes.

Acklam Road tenant speaks fondly of new home.

New tenant, Sharon Decairos spoke warmly about her new home saying: “It’s so spacious and light, as well as warm, I've not had the heating on. It’s perfect for me. I have a disability so it’s also great that the building has lifts. These really help. And it's near my daughter and niece.”

Sharon has lived in north Kensington all her life, so to be able to stay near her friends and family is great.

New homes are enabling communities to flourish.

Speaking during the visit, Cllr McVeigh said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to meet residents who are now enjoying high-quality homes thanks to this new Council building. Seeing residents settled and happy in their new homes is what it is all about.
 

“Acklam is part of our New Homes Programme, which delivers homes that meet people's needs as well as enabling a vibrant community to flourish."

Officially opened in September 2024, the Acklam Road development provides 32 new homes, including 20 for social rent and 12 for market rent. Among the new social homes are four fully accessible wheelchair homes, helping to meet the diverse needs of local residents.

Located next to the Swinbrook Estate and opposite the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, the development was shaped in partnership with the local community. The Swinbrook Residents’ Association played a key role in designing an improved and accessible ground floor community space, while Al-Manaar will use additional space to provide new facilities for local people.

All homes offer environmentally-friendly features

All homes at Acklam Road include modern features such as air-source heat pumps, thermally efficient windows and doors, and indoor-outdoor winter gardens – offering residents cost-effective, environmentally-friendly living in line with our commitment to greener, more sustainable homes.

Work is ongoing at two other sites at Silchester Arches and Barlby Road. Both schemes will be completed within the next year.

Pictured are Cllr Sof McVeigh, lead member for housing and Acklam Road resident Sharon Decairos in her new flat