News New homes for Lambeth on former industrial land

New homes for Lambeth on former industrial land

News, Press Releases

November 15, 2024

Peabody is getting ready to welcome new residents to Higgs Yard in Lambeth, where it has just completed 134 much-needed new homes on the former industrial site at Loughborough Junction.

The scheme, designed by PRP, offers 50 percent affordable housing, including homes for social rent, London Affordable Rent and shared ownership. 

The first residents are expected to begin moving in within the next few days. 

Higgs Yard provides a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, with communal spaces including a landscaped podium deck and a rooftop terrace. 

The development has been built with an air-source heat pumps, making the homes more environmentally friendly and economical to run for residents.

The project has also delivered 36,000 square feet of commercial space.

Higgs Yard was designed by architects PRP and built by Durkan for Peabody. The partners gathered for an event to mark the completion on Monday 11 November. 

Simon Barry, Regional Managing Director of Development for Peabody said: "London urgently needs more homes and our ambition is for all Londoners to have access to high quality homes they can afford. So, we’re pleased to be able to offer a range of affordable homes on this development.

“Higgs Yard brings this neglected former industrial estate back into use once again, while also creating new commercial spaces that will help to bring jobs to the area. It’s great to see the project completed and we look forward to welcoming new residents very soon.”

Ronan Murphy, Group CEO of Durkan, said: “We are pleased about the completion of the Higgs Yard development, which will provide much-needed affordable homes for the people of Lambeth.

“We have a strong partnership with Peabody, having delivered a number of successful projects together, and it’s good to see that continuing with this fantastic development for the local community.

“We pride ourselves on delivering high quality homes and connecting with communities. We’re pleased to have brought that focus to this project to provide the best possible environment for residents to enjoy.”

Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of Housing and Residential Development, said: “I’m delighted that work has been completed at Higgs Yard, delivering 66 genuinely affordable homes in Lambeth. 

“Backed by funding from the Mayor of London, this impressive development meets our goal to deliver more high-quality affordable homes across the capital and support neighbourhoods and local communities to grow and thrive – building a fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Stephen Martin, Associate Director at PRP, said: “We are delighted to have worked together with Peabody and Durkan to deliver this project for Loughborough Junction.

“Higgs Yard provides new homes across all tenures, as well as opportunities for new businesses to join this vibrant and exciting area. The quality of the construction reinforces the design intention to provide a landmark for the area on a very constrained site.”

About the Higgs Yard site

The site has a long history. It was first incorporated into the urban fabric of London with the arrival of the railway lines in 1862 – the same year Peabody was founded. 

Soon after the railway lines were built, the site became home to the building firm F and FH Higgs, whose builders yard operated from this site from around the 1880s to at least the 1970s. F & FH Higgs were involved in the construction of residential, commercial and public buildings across London including Bermondsey Library, Florence Nightingale Hospital and St Philip and St James’ Church on nearby Poplar Walk.

By the time the site was acquired by Family Mosaic (which then became part of Peabody), the site had become a disused industrial estate, understandably unloved by the local community. 

The new development brings the site back into use and improves the streetscape for residents, while its name pays testament to the site’s rich history and its impact in the capital city.