New homes and communities
Highlights of the year
Wandle’s flagship development 46-76 Summerstown in Merton reached a significant milestone recently, with a ‘topping out’ ceremony marking the latest construction phase.
The single eight-storey development will provide 93 much-needed affordable homes. These include 39 London Living Rent homes and 54 Shared Ownership homes, which promise to be high-quality and energy efficient.
The development is supported by a social housing grant from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and is part of a wider regeneration project in the area. Originally designed by Concept Architect CZWG Architects LLP, it has been updated by Higgins Partnership, which is working closely with the GLA to bring the project to life.
Yinka Bolaji, Executive Director of Development and Property at Wandle, said: “I am delighted to see how the building work at Summerstown is coming along, and am looking forward to welcoming our future residents.
“Our residents are at the heart of Wandle’s business, and I am proud of the high-quality and affordable homes we will provide to one of our core boroughs.”
Dominic Higgins, Chief Operating Officer at Higgins, said: “We are proud to reach this milestone at Summerstown, which will not only deliver affordable homes but leave a legacy for the people who live and work in this neighbourhood. This development exemplifies our commitment to creating sustainable, well-designed homes that meet the needs of the community today and for generations to come.”
As part of the development, the local authority will benefit from over £150,000 of S106 contributions, which will go towards funding vital local public health and education facilities. The council tax benefit to the borough will be approximately £180,000 per year.
Both Wandle and Higgins are committed to building better, stronger, safer, and more sustainable communities that deliver high-quality homes for residents and leave a legacy of positive impact.
Build more homes
Our New Homes Team recently supported siblings living in Balham.
Ms L* and her brother were living in a four-bedroom home that they did not have a tenancy for. They had grown up in the home and wanted to stay after the death of their parents.
In addition, the home was adapted to meet the accessibility needs for Ms L’s severely disabled brother.
Due to the complexity of their accessibility needs, and the very low likelihood of them finding that elsewhere in Balham, it was agreed it would be immoral to move them on, and all efforts would be made to rehouse them within Wandle.
Due to the severity of her brother’s disability, the criteria for a dream home were narrow, as they wanted a two-bedroom ground floor home in Balham with a small garden.
Finding their ideal home was a long process, and it took 18 months from start to finish. Eventually, a large one-bedroom home with a private garden became available and fit all their criteria. The only thing that was missing, was that much needed second bedroom.
We decided that we would carry out the necessary works on the property to make it a two-bed home, and to accommodate the brother’s needs. Doing this means they continue to live near their support network, in a place they’ve known since they were born.
Ms L* praised our Project Officer for her dedication, “From our very first conversation, it was clear that you genuinely cared about our situation and were committed to helping us find not just any home, but the right home.
“You took the time to listen carefully, understand the unique needs of my brother’s disability, and advocate on our behalf with empathy and professionalism.
“You have made an extraordinary difference in our lives. I commend you not only for your professionalism, but also for the compassion and humanity you bring to your role”.
Yinka Bolaji, Executive Director of Development and Property said, “Thanks to Angie’s hard work, Ms L* can now stay in the area they have lived in their whole, and they now feel safe and comfortable in their home.
“Wandle exists to support people, across south London, who need a home and we are helping to tackle the shortage of good quality affordable housing by providing homes for people most in need of housing.”
How many new homes completed this year?
How many new homes started this year?
Build more homes - people rehomed
Five year plan for new homes
March 2026
March 2027
March 2028