An area in southwest London is set to get a major upgrade following support from local residents.
The regeneration of the Alton Estate, a prominent 1950s housing estate in Roehampton, reached a significant milestone after a resident ballot that demonstrated overwhelming support for Wandsworth Council’s renewal plans.
More than 1,400 residents participated in what is reported to be London’s largest-ever regeneration ballot, which the council called ‘ground-breaking’, with 82% voting in favour of the £100 million proposals to demolish and rebuild parts of the estate.
The redevelopment scheme aims to deliver up to 650 new homes, 57% of which will be affordable housing, alongside enhanced community facilities and improved public spaces.
This result of the vote reflects a strong local endorsement for a project poised to reshape the estate over the next decade.
Initially advanced under Wandsworth Council’s former Conservative administration, the scheme originally proposed 288 homes to build approximately 1,100 new dwellings, with only 24% allocated as affordable housing.
These earlier plans received approval in early 2022, but were paused later that year following Labour’s electoral victory in the borough.
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The Labour-led administration expressed concern that the prior plans did not provide sufficient affordable housing and sought to redesign the masterplan through extensive resident consultation.
This inclusive approach emphasised affordability and community needs, resulting in a substantially revised proposal that garnered robust backing in the recent ballot.
Labour councillor Aydin Dikerdem underscored the importance of restoring resident trust after years of uncertainty.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: ‘The hardest hill was getting people to realise that we had decided to give them a real say and a stake in it.’
He highlighted the council’s commitment to achieving tangible improvements on the estate after a period marked by underinvestment.
The news comes after Wandsworth was named London’s most popular borough, after data revealed more people are moving to the area than anywhere else in the capital.
Alongside phased regeneration, scheduled over roughly ten years, the council is fast-tracking a package of early projects, including a new library, youth club, council offices, community spaces, and 40 new council homes at the estate’s entrance, enabling residents to see prompt benefits.
The renewed masterplan places community facilities at its core, proposing the development of:
- A new family hub incorporating relocated nursery and GP services
- A public square and enhanced outdoor spaces
- Improved pedestrian routes
- A revitalised shopping parade replacing the former Co-op store with a larger supermarket and additional shops
Furthermore, essential repairs are planned for existing estate blocks to improve current living conditions during the redevelopment phase.
The regeneration also encompasses broader enhancements such as new bus services, upgraded play areas, and community safety measures aimed at fostering a sustainable and high-quality living environment.
Local MP Fleur Anderson welcomed the ballot outcome, describing it as: ‘Fantastic news for our community… This ‘yes’ vote is a clear message that people want change – new homes, better health facilities, modern community spaces and a revitalised shopping parade.’
She recognised the residents’ long wait for investment and said the endorsement would help secure long-term benefits for the area.
With the community-backed masterplan now endorsed, Wandsworth Council plans to submit a formal planning application shortly.
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