Plans for new homes and a Health and Wellbeing Hub at Lisson Grove have moved a step closer! In this newsletter you will find our latest proposals and information about what the project will deliver and where you can come and talk to us at upcoming events.

As the Council moves forward with these proposals, additional sessions will be planned to involve residents in developing the design before the scheme is submitted for planning in September this year. You can sign up to be individually invited to them by using the form below. Residents will be compensated for their time. 

The story so far

The team began detailed consultation earlier this year and this newsletter aims to set out what we have heard and how the project team is responding. We want to hear from as many residents and community groups as possible about the emerging designs.

Following feedback from residents and local stakeholders, we are looking again at our proposals.

Proposal Launched For More Affordable Homes And Health and Wellbeing Hub

The regeneration of Lisson Grove aims to replace the council building in Orchardson Street which is also the home of WAES (labelled 1 on the map below) and the cluster of buildings on Lilestone Street (which include 6 -12 Lilestone, Gayhurst House, Penn House and Greenside Community Centre labelled 2 below) with a mix of up to 300 homes, 50% will be either social housing or intermediate homes, improved and safer public spaces and a Health & Wellbeing Hub at Lilestone Street. These sites were identified as part of the Church Street Masterplan Consultation.

Why are we doing this?

The Lisson Grove programme aims to deliver new affordable homes for people waiting on the Councils housing waiting list. Currently over 430 Church Street residents are waiting on this list for a home that meets their needs. The project will also deliver a new fully accessible Health and Wellbeing hub and high-quality public landscaping.

The Lisson Grove Regeneration project objectives are to replace the council building on Orchardson Street and the cluster of buildings on Lilestone Street (6-12 Lilestone, Gayhurst House, Penn House and Greenside Community Centre) with:

• Much-needed new homes for people on the housing waiting list (subject to a local lettings plan)
• New fully accessible Health and Wellbeing hub
• And high-quality public landscaping 

The Health and Wellbeing Hub will be home to improve resident access to local services, including a new, purpose-built base for WAES. We want to know what you think about the objectives of the Lisson Grove programme. You can do this right now using the form below. You can find out more about our proposals by clicking here.

Earlier this week, we launched our proposals for the Lisson Grove Regeneration Programme. The below shows what the new homes and Health & Wellbeing Hub on Lilestone Street could look like.

Westminster City Council is proposing to build new homes and a Health and Wellbeing Hub. These proposals will see the Greenside Community Centre, 4 Lilestone Street Community Hub, 6-12 Lilestone Street, Gayhurst and Penn House along with the Council offices on Orchardson Street replaced. If these proposals go head the benefits for local people and the community would be:

New Homes for Local People

Around 300 new high-quality homes will be built. At least 50% of these will be affordable with the majority available for social rent.

Protecting & Enhancing the Public Realm

A new central communal garden for everyone to enjoy, retaining the majority of mature trees on the site.

A Health and Wellbeing Hub to tackle health inequalities in Church Street

The Hub will include (subject to third party agreement) two GP surgeries, a purpose-built space for Westminster Adult Education Service, housing and employment support, resident facing council services and a new community hall.

A permanent home for your temporary Community Hub

If these proposals are supported, the Hub will move into a larger, improved and purpose-built home as part of a new Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Investment in new community facilities

Additional investment in local facilities and services via the planning process and Contractor Social Value commitments to support the local community.

Below is information shared at two recent exhibitions (April 2026) held on Church Street.

Overview of the two sites

Lilestone Street

1. Hub entrance located on key junction from Church Street
2. New crossings to connect with wider estate
3. Retain the majority of existing trees on the site
4. New pedestrian route along Mallory Street
5. Active ground floor uses to create safe streets
6. New community green space

Orchardson Street

1. More connections through the site and new useable green spaces
2. Homes accessed from the street to create active, safe streets
3. Improved landscaping and long views towards the canal
4. New commercial units on Lisson Grove to provide amenities and create activity

Homes and Health and Wellbeing Hub

We met with local residents and this is what we heard about the design of the new buildings

People generally liked the materials used for these two buildings below:

Local residents were generally in favour of:

• Red brick was liked for being robust and in-keeping with the local context.
• Warm colours made buildings feel welcoming.
• People liked traditional materials used in a modern way.
• New buildings that connect with older ones to unify Church Street.
• Trees and greenery were strongly supported.
• Picnic benches and recycling bins were wanted.
• A wide, clear main entrance for the hub was important.
• People wanted more trees and greenery.

Local residents generally had concerns about:

• Local buildings that felt too commercial or out of place.
• People didnt like glass and steel buildings which didn’t suit the area.
• White and grey buildings seemed cold and unwelcoming.
• Good accessibility mattered; steps made some places hard to reach.

Proposal design of the new buildings

Based on this feedback we have developed these building designs:

We met with local residents and this is what we heard about the design of the new homes

People liked the proposals for high-quality communal entrances and balconies large enough to sit and grow plants, like the images below:

Local residents were generally in favour of:

• Communal entrances with level access for older adults and wheelchair users.
• Strong preference for secure, easy-to-use bin and bike stores.
• Deck access and courtyard access felt safe, open, and positive.
• Sunny balconies off living rooms were popular, especially if big enough to sit or grow plants.
• Open-plan layouts were fine for small flats, but bigger homes should have separate kitchens and living/dining rooms.
• People liked that larger homes would have more than one bathroom.
• Good storage was important, especially space for buggies.Low-maintenance plants were preferred.

Local residents generally had concerns about:

• Some concerns about how rubbish, post and access would be managed.

Based on your feedback:

• Every home will have their own private outdoor space.
• Balconies accessed from living rooms and a minimum of 1.5m deep.
• Bin/bike stores with strong, secure doors and no through-access to maintain security.
• Secure access to communal entrances and courtyards to stop antisocial behaviour.
• 3-bed+ affordable homes will have separate kitchen.
• Larger homes will have multiple bathrooms.
• All front doors will have level access for elderly people, disabled users, and those with buggies or prams.
• All homes to have dedicated, built-in storage space for everyday items.

Landscaping for Lilestone Street and Orchardson Street

The landscaping aims to create:

• High-quality landscaped spaces for both new and existing residents to enjoy.
• Existing and new trees, along with seasonal planting, will bring colour all year around and support local wildlife.
• A range of shared outdoor spaces will create places to play, relax and spend time together.

In addition the landscaping aims to:

Places to relax, play & connect

• A thoughtful balance of welcoming public open spaces and more intimate, semi- private courtyards creates a variety of places for people to enjoy.
• High-quality, diverse amenities care provided to support the needs of the local community and encourage everyday use.

Welcoming entrances from nearby streets

• Create a welcoming and easy-to-navigate environment, with clear and well-connected routes throughout the site.
• Ensure safe pedestrian crossings and clear, legible routes.
• Places to pause and rest will be provided along key routes, making journeys more enjoyable for everyone.

Creating leafy active streets

• Existing streets will be enhanced to create greener, leafier and cooler spaces that are more resilient to a changing climate.
• Playful elements will be introduced along everyday routes, bringing moments of interest and joy to daily journeys.

Celebrating & protecting existing trees

• Important existing mature trees will be retained and celebrated, forming the heart of key landscape spaces, with enhanced planting beneath to enrich their setting.

Lilestone Street

Overview

1. Shared Community Garden
   A new park for play and rest set within a green landscape providing a space for the whole community.
2. Welcoming Entrance
   Clearly visible on the corner and set back from the existing trees.
3. Leafy Streets with Natural Play Trail
   Generous green edge with natural play set below the canopies of existing trees.
4. Residential Communal Courtyard
   Sheltered and private with opportunities for doorstep play, outdoor eating and relaxation
5. Car Parking Court & Turning Area
   Combined car parking court for the hub with a turning area, separated from Lisson Grove by the retention of existing trees.
6. Pocket Park Improvements
   New layout to improve circulation and introduction of seating.
7. Improved Pedestrian Access from Lisson Grove
   Pedestrian connection from Lisson Grove improving permeability and access to the Hub.

Shared Community Gardens

The landscaping here aims to:

• A new green open space sits at the heart of the site, designed for the whole community to enjoy.
• The Hub Gardens provide a sociable spill-out space connected to the café.
• Surrounded by seasonal planting, the area is sheltered and green, creating a flexible setting for small events.
• Along Lilestone Street, the landscape is defined by a rain garden edge, complemented by new street tree planting. This creates a natural buffer to the street while helping to reduce surface water run-off.
• A generous lawn area offers flexible space for picnics and informal play.
• A variety of play opportunities are integrated throughout the space.
• Generous seating areas offer places for relaxation and social interaction.
• Just outside of the community gardens, a pocket of fitness equipment is proposed to replace the existing facilities.
• To the south, as many existing trees as possible will be retained, helping to create a green outlook and a welcoming entrance to the new open space.

We met with local residents and this is what we heard...

Layout / General:

• Concerns over anti-social behaviour
• Lack of parking
• Appreciation for the woodland trail
• Accessibility for less mobile users e.g. seats

Planting:

• Consider the height of planting for safety
• Green the block entrances for character

Bike & Bin Stores:

• Consider buggies and scooters in the store
• Secure, large and away from public areas

Residential Courtyard:

• Consider opening fence access in the day time
• Concerns over the cleanliness of a potential sand pit
• Pergola to include outdoor eating and Wifi
• Inclusive play and passive surveillance is good

How ideas have been reflected in the design

Layout / General

• Seating areas are well overlooked to allow for surveillance
• Fences have the potential to be locked at night
• Parking numbers reviewed with transport consultant and results from parking surveys
• Seating with back and arm rests will be provided

Planting

• Height and view lines considerations form part of design along with benefits to ecology and biodiversity
• A variety of planting will be proposed

Bike & Bin Stores

• Provided in line with guidance and best practice
• All stores to be secure and in buildings

Residential Courtyard

• Path and railing added to allow for daytime access
• Discuss play maintenance and provision of Wifi with Westminster and consider design for outdoor eating

Orchardson Street 

• A sociable and welcoming space at the junction of Capland and Orchardson Streets will invite residents into the site.
• A new canalside garden will provide a peaceful spot for residents to sit, relax, and socialise—a space informed by the ideas and suggestions of the community.
• Entrance thresholds and spill-out spaces along Lisson Grove will bring the street to life, while offering places to pause and rest along the way.
• Within the heart of the residential development, a communal courtyard will offer play areas for children alongside plenty of seating, creating a friendly space where neighbours can come together.

Securing funding from the Mayor of London

Find out more

The Church Street team is always happy to answer any questions you may have. Regeneration Space is at 56 Church Street, London NW8 8ET as is open between the hours of 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Alternatively, you can get in touch using the following:

• Contact us via churchstreet.org/contact_us
• Call us on 020 7641 2968
• Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/mychurchstreet

Site B & C Check-in?

We are now into the last few weeks of the Church Street check-in survey. Thank you everyone who has completed the survey so far. You still have time to have your say and be in with a chance of winning a £20 Love2shop voucher.

All you have to do is one of the following:

• Go to Church street Check-in survey
• Come to the Regeneration Space
• Come and see us at one of our events – see Dates for your Diary.

We will have our Community Researchers out and about during April door knocking. This will also be an opportunity for you to fill in the survey and tell us your thoughts. They could be knocking on your door!