Berkeley Group and Sovereign Network Group Partner to Deliver 555 Social Rent Homes in London
Berkeley Group has exchanged contracts with Sovereign Network Group (SNG) to deliver 555 new socially rented homes across two major residential developments in London. The agreement marks a significant step forward in expanding the supply of genuinely affordable housing in the capital and reflects a shared commitment to meeting urgent housing needs across key boroughs.
Under the terms of the deal, Berkeley has agreed a forward sale of the homes to SNG, one of the largest housing associations in England. This collaboration strengthens the long-term availability of social rent properties in areas where demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. By combining Berkeley’s large-scale regeneration expertise with SNG’s experience in managing and delivering affordable homes, the partnership aims to create sustainable communities that serve a broad cross-section of Londoners.
Grand Union Development in Wembley
A substantial portion of the new homes—269 in total—will be delivered at Grand Union in Wembley, located within the London Borough of Brent. These homes will comprise a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, designed to accommodate individuals, couples, and families. The apartments will be spread across two residential buildings within the wider development.
Grand Union is a large-scale regeneration project that will ultimately provide around 3,350 homes on the former Northfields Industrial Estate site. The transformation of this previously industrial area into a vibrant residential neighbourhood represents one of the most significant regeneration efforts in the borough. The scheme is not solely focused on housing numbers; it is designed to foster a thriving and inclusive community environment.
The development already features a growing neighbourhood with a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, and landscaped open spaces. These features are intended to create a balanced urban environment where residents can live, work, and relax within walking distance of their homes. In addition, the scheme incorporates strong sustainability measures, including the installation of approximately 590 electric vehicle charging points across the development. Improved walking and cycling routes will connect residents to Stonebridge Park tube and rail station, enhancing public transport accessibility and encouraging greener modes of travel.
The first residents moving into the SNG-managed social rent homes at Grand Union are expected to do so from May 2029. This timeline aligns with the broader phased delivery of the overall development, ensuring that affordable homes are integrated alongside private and other tenure types.
Silkstream Development in Hendon
In addition to Grand Union, the agreement includes 286 social rent homes at Berkeley’s Silkstream development in Hendon, within the London Borough of Barnet. Silkstream is another major regeneration scheme that will deliver 1,337 new homes in total. The social rent apartments form a key component of the development’s overall housing mix, supporting a diverse and inclusive community.
Silkstream has been designed as a comprehensive neighbourhood with significant community amenities. Among its highlights is a flagship Sainsbury’s superstore, which will serve both residents and the surrounding community. The development will also feature a café and a 1.5-acre public park, offering accessible green space in a densely populated part of north London. These elements contribute to placemaking efforts that aim to go beyond housing delivery and instead establish long-term, sustainable communities.
Residents are expected to begin moving into the SNG social rent homes at Silkstream from April 2028. As with Grand Union, the homes will be integrated into the wider scheme to ensure that social rent residents benefit from the same quality of design, infrastructure, and local amenities as other occupants.
Funding Support and Allocation Process
The delivery of these 555 social rent homes is being part-funded through the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026, administered by the Greater London Authority (GLA). This financial support plays a crucial role in enabling housing associations and developers to provide homes at social rent levels, which are typically significantly below market rents and are targeted at households with the greatest housing need.
The homes at Grand Union will be made available to applicants on Brent Council’s housing register, while those at Silkstream will be offered to individuals and families on Barnet Council’s housing register. This ensures that the properties directly benefit local communities and help address borough-specific housing pressures.
By combining public funding support with private sector delivery and housing association management, the scheme demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can help unlock complex urban sites and bring forward affordable housing at scale.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Joe Marshall, Chief Investment and Development Director at Sovereign Network Group, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in addressing London’s housing challenges. He expressed satisfaction at collaborating with Berkeley to deliver much-needed social homes in Brent and Barnet. Marshall emphasised that with the backing of the GLA and continued cooperation with developers, SNG can accelerate the delivery of genuinely affordable homes and contribute to meeting the pressing housing needs of communities across the capital.
Marcus Blake, Managing Director at Berkeley Group, underscored the significance of Grand Union and Silkstream as examples of successful regeneration and placemaking. He noted that sustained collaboration between developers, local authorities, housing associations, and the GLA is essential to bring forward large-scale housing projects, particularly in complex delivery environments such as London. Blake pointed out that this agreement with SNG will deliver more than 550 additional social rent homes, ensuring that the new neighbourhoods can accommodate a wide range of local housing requirements.
Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, welcomed the announcement of 555 new social rent homes across two major London sites. He emphasised that the homes, supported by funding from the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme, will provide secure and genuinely affordable housing for families and those most in need. Copley reiterated the Mayor’s commitment to working closely with developers, housing associations, councils, and government to boost housing delivery across all tenures and to help build a fairer London.
Supporting Regeneration and Inclusive Growth
The partnership between Berkeley and SNG illustrates how large-scale regeneration projects can incorporate meaningful levels of social housing. In both Wembley and Hendon, the integration of social rent homes within broader mixed-use developments reflects a strategic approach to inclusive growth. By embedding affordable housing into vibrant, amenity-rich neighbourhoods, the developments aim to avoid segregation by tenure and instead promote balanced communities.
These projects also highlight the complexity of delivering housing in London, where land constraints, planning requirements, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure demands can create significant challenges. The collaboration between private developers, housing associations, local authorities, and the GLA demonstrates a model for overcoming these barriers.
Overall, the agreement to deliver 555 social rent homes at Grand Union and Silkstream represents a substantial contribution to London’s affordable housing pipeline. Through forward funding arrangements, public sector support, and cross-sector cooperation, the scheme will provide hundreds of households with secure, high-quality homes in well-connected and thoughtfully designed neighbourhoods over the coming years.
Source Link: https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/
