community led housing london

Greenstreet Hill

A self-build housing co-operative built in timber frame, around a communal garden, in the early 1990s.

Number of homes 11 affordable units
Location Brockley
Completed on site 1993

Group

CHISEL Housing Association helped to facilitate the formation of a housing co-operative, and supported the establishment of the project. The co-operative members were actively involved in selecting architects and the designs of the project. They had to contribute a certain number of hours to the construction of the project every week, alongside formal employment or other duties, as a condition of the affordable housing grant.

The original residents organised the construction work and physically built their own homes, learning a great deal through the process.

Site
The site off Drakefell Road in Brockley was originally owned by the Council, but had not been used for council housing by the 1990s. As a relatively small site it was available for development.

Design
Car parking is provided in one part of site, leaving the rest of the site available to group houses around a shared garden space in the middle of the site. Access to individual homes increases the chance of bumping into neighbours and building a strong sense of community.

The houses were designed in close consultation with the group and individuals. Variations to the basic layout were easily achievable as the wall elements are independent of the structural frame.

Construction
The simple timber frame method was pioneered by architect Walter Segal on self-build schemes in the early 1980s, although it has had to be developed and updated to meet more recent construction standards. It has been particularly suitable for people without previous building experience as it makes economical use of ‘off the shelf’ materials, detailed to require as little cutting as possible, while keeping the construction process largely ‘on-site’.

The structure uses small pad foundations at the foot of each post. This allows development close to mature trees without expensive retaining structures. The houses incorporate energy saving features and environmentally-healthy specifications.

Walterton & Elgin Community Homes

Walterton & Elgin Community Homes (WECH) is a successful resident-controlled housing association and Community Land Trust in Westminster.

In 1985 the Walterton & Elgin estate was threatened with being sold off to private developers. Residents were neither consulted nor informed. The Walterton & Elgin Action Group was formed in response. After various protests and petitions they used the Tenant Choice Provisions of the 1988 Housing Act to transfer ownership of the estate to the community, forming WECH and receiving 640 homes from the Council in 1992. WECH implemented extensive refurbishment and redevelopment soon after.

WECH recently completed 43 new infill homes on it’s own land – 12 for London Affordable Rent and 31 at London Living Rent levels – as well as a new community centre, nursery, offices, communal roof gardens, and improved play facilities and security. The new design process was carried out in collaboration with residents so the homes could meet individual needs, and make the most of new accommodation. Some of the work has involved adding additional floors to existing buildings, but residents have remained in their own homes, and WECH have minimised disruption throughout the building works. Keeping residents on board and invested in the process has minimised complaints and dissatisfaction.

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