Deputy Mayor of London tours Wimbourne Street as work progresses on 59 new homes
Posted 09/03/2026
The delivery of 59 much-needed new homes in Hackney moved a step closer on Friday 6th March 2026, as the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, visited the Wimbourne Street development to see progress first-hand.
Joined by the Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, representatives from Hackney Council and Higgins Partnerships, the Deputy Mayor toured the mixed-use scheme, which is transforming an underused infill site into high-quality homes for local people.
Wimbourne Street will provide 59 high-quality new homes across two buildings, Wimbourne North Block and Wimbourne South Block. Of these, 27 will be for Council social rent, 12 for shared ownership and 20 for outright sale. Designed by architects Mikhail Riches, the development will also deliver a new café/commercial space, children’s playground, reconfigured car parking, and extensive landscaping, creating safer, greener and more welcoming spaces for both new and existing residents.
The North Block will provide 41 mixed tenure homes across four to eight storeys. During his visit, Tom was given a tour of the South Block, which is delivering 18 social rent homes ranging from one to three bedrooms, across four to six storeys, including a three-bedroom duplex apartment on the fourth floor. The social rent homes will be prioritised for residents in housing need living in the neighbouring Wenlock Barn Estate.
Speaking about his visit, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley said, “It was a pleasure to visit the Wimbourne Street development in Hackney, where 59 new homes will provide a much-needed affordable housing boost. This once underused site will help people put down roots in their local area and deliver new commercial and green space for the community to enjoy. This regeneration supports our work to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”
As part of Hackney Council’s Housing Supply Programme, the Wimbourne Street scheme demonstrates how underused infill sites can be repurposed to help tackle the capital’s housing shortage while delivering genuinely affordable homes. Shared surfaces, new pavements, and improved pedestrian routes are also being introduced to enhance connectivity and safety for residents.
Declan Higgins, Chief Executive for Higgins Group comments, “We are delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor to Wimbourne Street to see the progress being made. This development is not only delivering much-needed affordable homes but also creating a high-quality place that will benefit both new and existing residents for years to come. Alongside delivering new homes, we have been working closely with the local community to provide training and employment opportunities, ensuring the development delivers lasting social value to the area.”
Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, said, “It was brilliant to join Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, Dame Meg Hillier MP and Higgins at Wimbourne Street, where beautifully designed new council homes are nearing completion and residents will soon be moving in.
“These are some of the 1,000 council homes we’re delivering across Hackney, all prioritised for local people in housing need.”
Alongside delivering new homes, Higgins has worked closely with the local community, contributing more than 175 hours of community volunteering, 215 hours of educational engagement with schools and young people and 60 hours of environmental improvements. The team has also provided over £11,000 in sponsorship and donations to local groups. In partnership with JBT Training, the development has supported nine apprenticeships, 10 paid work placements, 3 supported internships and a number of site jobs for local residents.
At Buckland Street, Higgins is also providing 54 new homes, including 22 Council homes for social rent, 14 for shared ownership and 18 for outright sale for Hackney Council.
