Transport for London announces Catalyst Housing Ltd as its partner to develop 100 per cent affordable homes in Harrow

Transport for London (TfL) today announced Catalyst Housing Ltd as its preferred bidder to deliver around 450 homes, all of which will be affordable.

Catalyst is a housing association and a member of the G15 group, with more than 21,000 homes in London and the South East. Catalyst has been selected to bring the sites forward using the Greater London Authority’s ‘London Development Panel 2’ (LDP2) and will start detailed design and will consult the local community before a planning application is submitted in 2019/20.

As well as providing new homes, the plans will also improve the public realm with new trees and enhanced pedestrian and cycling connectivity for the local community. TfL plans to retain commuter car parking at the three sites along with the new homes. TfL will also work with the London Borough of Harrow and local stakeholders to improve the step free access at Stanmore station making journeys easier for thousands of passengers.

Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at TfL, said: “We’re delighted to have appointed Catalyst as our partner and look forward to working with them to deliver hundreds of affordable homes at these prime locations next to Tube stations. This is another important milestone in our programme across the capital that is delivering thousands of new affordable homes, creating thousands of new jobs and generating vital revenue to reinvest in the transport network.”

Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Catalyst said: “Catalyst is pleased to have been selected by TfL as its partner on the first opportunity to come through the London Development Panel 2 since its creation. All three of these schemes will provide 100 per cent genuinely affordable housing for Londoners, and we are really looking forward to working with TfL and Harrow Council to create these new, vibrant communities.”

Cllr Keith Ferry, Deputy Leader of Harrow Council, said: “Our community is crying out for affordable homes for Harrow people – so we are delighted to welcome TfL’s plans to build a better Harrow. Our borough was born out of the need for new homes for hardworking people near railway links – and we are pleased to see that tradition continue today.”

TfL has a programme in place that will see it develop 300 acres to deliver more than 10,000 homes across London. Sites are being brought to market through a number of different routes and they will play a key role in unlocking development, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. TfL has already submitted planning applications for more than 4,200 homes, and since May 2016, 50 per cent of its homes have been affordable.