New Affordable Homes for Families Completed on Andover Estate, Islington

Islington Council has delivered 22 new homes on the Andover Estate, providing much-needed, high-quality housing for residents, with 20 more homes expected to be completed by the end of March 2025.

The development, which includes sixteen homes at Franchise Place and six at Corker Walk, marks another milestone in the council’s ambitious plan to build hundreds of new homes and increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough.

Through the council’s lettings policy, residents already living on the estate and on the Housing Register, many of whom are living in overcrowded conditions, were prioritised for allocation of the new homes. All new residents have moved from elsewhere on the estate, freeing up other homes for reletting.

Priscilla Kafari, one of the new tenants who has moved from elsewhere on the estate, said: “We were thrilled to move in, our new home feels so much brighter and more spacious.

“My children have room to grow, and they can stay at the same school and spend time with their friends. We absolutely love it.”

Cllr John Woolf, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “These new homes are a testament to our ongoing commitment to tackling the housing crisis.

“We’re creating safe, decent and genuinely affordable places to call home for residents in our community, ensuring that local people in greatest need benefit first from new developments.”

The development includes a mix of two and three-bedroom homes at Franchise Place, one of which is wheelchair accessible. At Corker Walk, two out of the six are wheelchair accessible, as a result of innovative garage conversions.

Each property features energy-efficient systems, private back gardens, and convenient access to new external communal amenities such as a play park and a vibrant community garden.

Construction work continues on other sites in the borough and more homes will be completed over the next six months.

In the 1850s, Franchise Place was formerly part of the Long Lands Estate. In those days, only homeowners or those who paid certain taxes could vote. The houses on the estate were built to create more voters, and so the streets were originally given the names of Reform, Franchise, Liberty, and Freehold to reflect this ambition.

Today, the new development has been named Franchise Place in recognition of this history and continues to play a vital role in providing much-needed housing, now with a stronger emphasis on affordability and community wellbeing.