Head of design Chloe Oades outlines Mount Anvil’s resident-first approach to the regeneration of Friary Park in Acton, where a tenure-blind housing strategy, extensive community engagement and a partnership with Peabody are delivering over 1,300 homes alongside new green spaces, amenities and long-term biodiversity gains.

What’s going on in Friary Park, Acton?
We’re out on-site delivering the final phase of our major estate regeneration project in partnership with Peabody. The site is well-connected, just a stone’s throw away from the Acton Main Line station on the Elizabeth Line. Upon completion, Friary Park will provide more than 1,300 new, high-quality homes for the community.

Providing more affordable homes within the estate is a key part of the plan, but there is plenty more to the development. More than a third of the six-acre development will be landscaped green space, and the estate will gain access to amenities like a new community centre. We’re proud to be partnering with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on scientific research around the projects biodiversity and landscaping, making sure the development boosts the local environment.

Can you tell me more about your tenure-blind and resident-first approach? What did that specifically entail and what were the results (so far)?
We want to do the right thing by creating high-quality homes that meet both our standards as a developer and residents’ needs for the future.  Friary Park demonstrates this commitment in action through a tenure‑blind approach, with all homes – whether for private sale, affordable or social rent – designed and delivered to the same rigorous quality standards.

This reflects our resident‑first approach which has been grounded in inclusivity and collaboration from day one. We prioritised the delivery of affordable homes so existing residents could return first, with 85 homes allocated for original households and 50 for families on Ealing Council’s waiting list. Throughout the process, we’ve spent hundreds of hours working with residents to co‑design play areas, communal facilities and green spaces.

Render of the Friary Park masterplan. (Credit: HTA Design)

Friary Park, as I understand it, originally had 225 social rent homes – and all existing buildings are to be demolished. How many new social rent homes will be included in the new scheme, how many affordable units will be included – and how many homes will be sold at market rate?
The regeneration is being delivered in three phases. We’ve increased the density onsite to ensure we can deliver the project in tandem with the community benefits.

We’re providing 315 low-cost rented homes onsite, a 40% increase, along with 140 shared ownership homes. Overall, 40% of homes across the site will be affordable by habitable room.

In total, the entire Friary Park development will deliver around 1,345 homes. More than 160 homes have been completed, and more than 330 sold. The third phase is planned for market release this year.

What factors led to the decision to not retain any buildings on the site?
The estate was originally built in the 1980s and mainly consisted of low-rise, walk-up apartment blocks which were poor quality. The homes fell well below modern standards. The bedrooms were small or insufficient in number, insulation and heating were inadequate, and there was no outside space. Beyond the condition of the buildings, the estate’s layout was inefficient and did not meet resident’s needs. It was arranged as a maze of cul-de-sacs and winding streets, dominated by car parking areas. Bin stores were located in dark corners and lacked natural surveillance, and there was little meaningful amenity space for residents.

Given these challenges, we decided not to retain the existing buildings. Instead, we chose to deliver larger, better-quality homes that meet modern standards, with improved heating, insulation, and thoughtfully designed layouts. Our focus is on building homes that will last, that are purpose-built and fit for the future, that have improved community facilities and feature a better use of space.

Can you tell me more about how you chose the amenities that also contribute as part of the estate regeneration? How did you select certain business/shops etc?
The selection process was guided by extensive community engagement. We wanted amenities that would serve the needs of Friary Park residents and the wider local area. For example, we’ve brought in By Max, a local resident-run coffee shop, to occupy a prime spot opposite the Elizabeth Line station. By Max is more than just a café, it has become a community hub where local residents can meet. We’ve brought in an Asda Express to provide a convenient, much-needed local store for everyday essentials. And to support residents’ health, a new dental practice is also part of the plans.

We are proud to be partnering with the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust and Peabody on the Self Belief Community Hub, which opens in late spring 2026. Created in honour of Jamal Edwards, who grew up on the Friary Park Estate, the hub will provide music and podcast studios, co‑working spaces and employability support for young people aged 18 to 31.

To do our part in helping to nurture and retain artists and creatives within London, we’re also offering affordable creative workspaces managed by Creative Land Trust. The whole approach reflects a commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive community, with amenities that matter.

In addition to this, there are plenty of new community facilities including a walking and cycling hub, community kitchen and an enhanced community square. We’re also introducing a significant amount of new outdoor amenities for residents and the wider community to enjoy across the site which have the added benefit of enhancing biodiversity outcomes while also connecting residents with green spaces.

What is the expected biodiversity net gain and how are you looking to achieve this?
We’ve developed a detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy for the six-acre site, dedicating more than a third of the site to landscaped green spaces, including courtyard gardens, woodland pockets, allotments, an eco-walk, and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) with habitat-based planting.

Working with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew we’re taking a fresh approach to landscaping and biodiversity, integrating water management with habitat creation to deliver a range of ecosystem benefits. This collaboration allows us to go beyond simply minimising harm. Instead, we’re achieving more than three times the minimum requirement for biodiversity net gain.