Peabody appoints Higgins to build affordable, low-energy homes in Deptford

Peabody has appointed Higgins Partnerships to build 189 affordable, low-energy homes at Deptford Landings, southeast London. 

Published: 22/04/2024

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The project will not only tackle the urgent demand for affordable homes in London but will also be Peabody’s first venture into providing homes that achieve Passive House certification. 

The Passive House concept is widely accepted by the construction industry as the standard to aim for when reducing a building's running costs and the amount of energy it uses. The energy needed to heat and cool Passive House buildings can be 90 percent lower than that of regular buildings, and more than 75 percent lower than typical new ones. 

Peabody’s homes at Deptford Landings will be one of the largest single-phase Passive House projects in the UK to date and will see residents benefitting from reduced energy costs and a significant improvement in comfort and air quality.

The fully affordable scheme, managed by Peabody, will include social rent and shared ownership homes – helping local people from the council’s housing waiting list. It will be made up of three eight-storey buildings, two of which will have large roof terraces, and a central landscaped courtyard.

Designed by architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), with Max Fordham engineers and a high calibre design team, each home will benefit from a private balcony. Block 6A will provide 69 one- and two-bedroom homes, while Block 6B will comprise 61 homes ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. The final residential block, C, will have 59 one- and two-bedroom homes.

The homes will be part of a masterplan being delivered by Lendlease. The global company is developing a community with new homes, shops, a renovated pub, and green spaces connected to The Waterline Way walking and cycling route. The project is unfolding in stages, offering residents a vibrant place to live, work, and socialise.

Simon Barry, Managing Director, Development at Peabody said: “At a time when building new, affordable homes in the capital is increasingly challenging, our investment of more than £75m, including grant support, will provide nearly 200 homes for Londoners.  

“As well as being fully affordable, they’re the first we’re building to Passive House standards. Every home will be low cost and low energy, helping to significantly reduce energy bills for residents while being better for the environment. 

“Together with our new partners at Higgins, we’re looking forward to continuing this pioneering work alongside Lendlease and the council.”

Reflecting on the support Peabody received from its partners, he added: “I’d also like to thank our friends at Hastoe Housing Association and Camden Council for generously sharing their experience and expertise in Passive House. Learning from others in the field allowed us to design and manage much of the project in-house and understand the full requirements and costs early on. This was not only more cost effective for us, but ensured more certainty when we were tendering for a project partner.”

Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Higgins said: “Plot 6 forms part of the exciting regeneration plans for Deptford Landings which will eventually see the creation of a brand-new community with over 1,000 new homes, retail, and workspaces to support local businesses along with new landscaping, a park and public realm to enhance the area.  

“We are pleased to once again be working in partnership with Peabody to deliver these much-needed new homes for the local area and look forward to moving ahead with work on site.”