KEY DETAILS
Acton Gardens
Location: Ealing
Homes: 2,050
Partners: Ealing Council, L&Q and Cheyne Capital
Project Duration: 24 years
Gross Development Value: £1.4bn
Land: Brownfield
Social Value: £50K annually from the Community Chest Fund
Acton Gardens is one of Vistry Groups’ flagship sites and is a great example of successful estate regeneration in London.
This multi award winning development commenced construction in 2011 and is delivering a much needed new urban village in Ealing. With a gross development value totalling £1.4 billion, the development is being constructed in 25 phases, creating a vibrant and sustainable place to live, where communities can thrive economically, environmentally and socially.
Acton Gardens is delivering meaningful community engagement to better understand local needs and social value opportunities, ensuring that local people have the chance to share their insights and perspectives.
By promoting inclusive discussions and partnerships, we strive to build trust and provide ambitious, creative solutions that reflect these local needs.
Housing Delivery and Affordable Homes
This mixed tenure development is delivering affordable homes, private rented sector homes and open market homes for private purchasers. The open market homes are through our Countryside Homes retail brand.
We highly recommend this property development, located in the heart of London. With a thoughtful mix of apartments and houses, this development caters to both families and young professionals seeking a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.“The development team has provided outstanding support since key handover, ensuring a seamless transition to homeownership. Our property boasts efficient layout, maximising space and functionality and we have ample storage which is a rare feature in London properties.”
Resident at Acton Garden
In addition to our Section 106 obligations, our Joint Venture at Acton Garden has enabled the development of a range of housing options, including affordable homes, shared ownership and affordable rent.
Acton Garden homes have been recognised for their high quality design with sustainability being central to the evolving plan, with homes under a sitewide district heating scheme powered by air source heat pumps.
Acton Gardens is a great example of partnership working, delivering much needed genuinely affordable homes and vibrant new shared spaces like the Bollo Brook Youth Centre, a new community centre, and new retail units.“The transformative regeneration of the South Acton estate is creating a better connected, more inclusive neighbourhood where people can access work and essential services on their doorsteps. Ealing Council is committed to providing high quality new affordable house and improving local communities. This is only possible with positive engagement and shared vision from all parties involved”
Assistant Director Housing Regeneration, London Borough of Ealing
Community Facilities
Vistry is dedicated to creating places where people love to live. At Acton Gardens, a strong sense of community is fostered through its 8,960 sq ft Community Centre, where residents engage in a variety of activities such as construction, horticulture, and dance. This initiative provides young people with the opportunity to showcase their talents and actively contribute to the regeneration of the area, helping to cultivate a vibrant community spirit in West London. Additionally, with 46,887m² of public open space, Acton Gardens offers residents ample green areas for relaxation, recreation, and social connection. Examples of community events include:
- Music classes for the under 5’s at Acton Gardens community centres.
- Knit and Natter community club.
- Acton community yoga sessions.
- Acton community gardens Skate club.
- Acton Gardens community Fridge - In partnership with the Felix Project, volunteers. distribute weekly food bags to Acton Gardens residents.
Employment and Local Business
We aim for 20% of our workforce to come from the South-East Acton Estate, benefiting the local community.
The project will employ 42 local people, with 2-4 placements per phase. We have delivered 28 apprenticeships, supported by mentoring from JBT Ltd. We are also focused on developing local leadership through workshops and training for community board members, and have recruited local fire and energy champions, and sales trainees to build a peer network.
The Wellbeing Festival at Acton Gardens has supported young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with resources for education and career pathways. We also host an annual construction skills event.
Acton Gardens also provides Vistry with the opportunity to work with local suppliers like Cultivate London, which trains unemployed young people in landscape gardening and horticulture.
The development has:
- A local workforce (70%)
- Created a bespoke onsite facility called the Sherford Skills Training Centre
- Partnered with veterans’ organisations to ensure ex-service personnel are supported into skilled, long-term careers. 60% of learners at Sherford Skills Training Centre are former members of the Armed Forces
- Supported 751 learners to achieve a CSCS accreditation
- Hosted 175 apprenticeships in 2024
- Delivered over 5,000 pre-employment work placement weeks
Commitment to Nature and Sustainability
Vistry is committed to Homes for Nature, a plan to help wildlife thrive in the places we build.
Initiatives at Acton Gardens includes:
- Species-rich grassland using native wildflower mixes, primarily in naturalised public open spaces.
- Native shrub planting integrated throughout open spaces to support local ecosystems.
- Seasonally wet features, including attenuation basins and swales, to support amphibians and wetland species.
- Nectar-rich ornamental planting using a variety of native species to support pollinators.
- Plant litter and deadwood refuges incorporated within planting areas to provide habitats for invertebrates and small wildlife.
- Bug boxes and bug hotels installed to support insect diversity and pollination.
- Habitat walls with native climbers on garden walls and terrace ends, offering foraging and nesting spaces for birds.
- Mixed native hedgerows forming property boundaries, creating green corridors and wildlife connectivity.
- Bat roosting boxes to support local bat populations.
- Bird nesting boxes to provide shelter and breeding areas for various bird species.
- Biodiverse roofs designed to support a range of flora and fauna, enhancing urban ecology.