What makes our West Kentish Town Estate redevelopment so special? - CIP

The West Kentish Town redevelopment stands as a testament to what is possible when a community comes together with a shared vision and ambition for a better future.  

The redevelopment would be the largest so far under the Community Investment Programme (CIP). This is Camden’s ambitious plan to tackle the housing crisis, improve living conditions and provide vital community spaces. 

The current estate is not fit for purpose, with cramped conditions, no private outdoor space and outdated buildings - our residents deserve better. In 2020, the estate made history by holding Camden’s first-ever resident ballot on estate regeneration, with an overwhelming 93% of residents voting in favour of the redevelopment.  

With the planning application for the estate’s redevelopment now submitted, we’re one step closer to delivering the plans the community voted for - plans that are not merely about constructing new buildings, but about creating modern, safer homes that will provide a foundation for residents to thrive and succeed. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this project special.  

Council-owned housing on public land 

The redevelopment of West Kentish Town Estate is being carried out by Camden Council as the developer through the Community Investment Programme.  

Difficult economic circumstances and a nationwide decline in building affordable homes means we need to raise money to deliver new homes and improve community spaces. To do this, we build homes and sell them privately, and this revenue helps us build the new affordable homes that people desperately need.  

This means we are not selling our land, and we will remain the landlord for tenants and the freeholder of private homes. As a public organisation, we do not make a profit on redevelopment, and the sale of private homes helps pay for the new affordable homes and improved estate spaces. 

The proposals for the West Kentish Town Estate are centred around the housing needs of current residents, so those who wish to remain on the estate can do so until their new homes are ready. 

Better, safer public space   

Residents told us about the ‘unusable’ outside spaces and lack of play or recreation facilities, so the new landscaping proposals offer almost the same amount of open space, but with a range of uses for all.  

This includes creative play and leisure, greater biodiversity in planting, and an estate layout with clear sight lines to improve the feeling of safety and reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour. No protected trees on the estate are being removed and more will be planted than lost. 

Thorough daylight/sunlight testing has been carried out, which show that all internal courtyards and homes achieve the required levels of daylight and sunlight to comply with the planning requirements, and to provide residents with the best quality living conditions. 

Hear West Kentish Town residents explain why new homes are so important for them.

Find out more about the redevelopment and view the plans