This week, school children commemorated the official handover of 51 flats and 22 townhouses in Stonebridge by burying a time capsule at the new play area within the development.
Students from Stonebridge Primary School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School buried pandemic-era artwork, letters, and mementos at the unveiling of a new green space, complete with play areas and an outdoor gym. The time capsule, interred in the play area, is scheduled to be opened on November 9, 2073, allowing today’s primary students to reminisce about their childhoods.
Households are ready to move into the 51 one, two and three-bedroom homes in a high energy efficiency block in Hillside, Stonebridge, named after community champion, Revd Roy Smith. Families moved into the street of 22 four-bedroom townhouses in Milton Avenue over the summer and were visited by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
The Hillside site has a ground level under croft car park with 22 spaces and a landscaped podium on the first-floor level which links the two blocks.
Councillor Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters’ Security, said: “We are very proud and absolutely delighted to hand over 73 new homes to Brent residents in a neighbourhood that has been utterly transformed through our partnership with Higgins and the Jason Roberts Foundation.
“Together we’ve succeeded in turning wasteland that had become a hotspot for fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour into much-needed, high quality housing alongside a children’s play area and an outdoor gym.
“A secure home in a safe neighbourhood is the basis for a good quality of life and that’s what we’ve achieved here. At a time when we are seeing around 148 households a week seeking housing, these new homes are crucial. Despite increasing the supply of new homes more than any other council in the country last year, the demand continues to soar, and we are calling on the government to provide more support.”
Revd Roy Smith was the vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church in Hillside for 23 years before he retired 17 years ago. “I am pleased that the building is being named after me,” he said.
“It must be that someone thought I had done a good job in serving the community. I just hope that people will find employment and will be happy living here.”
The day’s highlights included the official unveiling of the Stonebridge mural, honoring four hometown football legends whose impact inspires local youth. The mural, located near Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, showcases Dave Regis, Otis Roberts, Jason Roberts MBE, and Cyrille Regis MBE. Designed with the help of school children, the mural is a collaborative effort between Brent, the Jason Roberts Foundation, and Higgins.
Colin Ricketts, Regional Director of Higgins Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to mark the completion of these much-needed affordable homes in Stonebridge with the burial of the time capsule and the unveiling of the mural, which we hope will bring much inspiration to the local community for years to come.
“Our partnership with Brent Council and Jason Roberts Foundation has also enabled us to provide a vital programme of support for those living in the area and it has been really rewarding to work with groups of all ages who have gained access to sports education, improved health and provided pathways to employment.”
