Hounslow Council has approved plans to develop an affordable Extra Care Housing scheme at Nene Gardens in Hanworth Village, aiming to provide up to 50 socially rented units for residents with adult social care needs. The scheme will cater to adults with eligible social care needs, enabling them to live as independently as possible with on-site care and support that meets their assessed needs. The scheme aims to prevent, reduce, or delay the escalation of a person's needs.
The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, where members highlighted the growing demand for such accommodation and its potential to reduce costs for the council. The project sits within the Adult Social Care System Reform Programme, following priorities set out in the Adult Social Care System Reform Programme SBC Addendum approved by the Cabinet in October 2024, to use council-owned land to increase extra care housing capacity. Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Health Integration, emphasised that the proposals would address the needs of vulnerable residents while ensuring they remain close to home.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council, echoed this sentiment, stating that the project aligns with the council's objective of spending wisely in the right areas to address growing demand.
He further noted the importance of providing high-quality provision for residents in the greatest need.
The Cabinet agreed to the necessary steps for disposing of the open space
land and delegated authority to the Director of Asset Strategy to approve the land's disposal to a Registered Provider, who will be responsible for building the scheme. The capital costs for building this scheme will be funded by the Registered Provider who will look to secure external funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and other sources. The Cabinet also approved a capital budget (Exempt Appendix 2 of the Nene Gardens Extra Care Housing Scheme Report) to cover the upfront delivery costs of the scheme, and the inclusion of this in the General Fund Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2028/29, financed from Disabled Facilities Grant, Capital Grant, provided by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government. The council will enter into an agreement with the Registered Provider subject to due diligence and Heads of Terms under which the council will retain 100% nomination rights in perpetuity to the scheme.
A Nominations Agreement with the Registered Provider was also agreed upon, ensuring the scheme would serve its intended purpose. The Nominations Agreement will ensure that the council retains 100% nomination rights in perpetuity to the scheme, and details the allocation policy for the Extra Care units.
Councillor Samia Chaudhary expressed her satisfaction with the project's progression, noting that she had previously raised questions about the land in Hanworth Village. The development is expected to be completed by 2028/29.
The project is part of a broader effort to reform adult social care and provide cost-effective solutions for residents with care needs. With the high costs associated with adult social care, the council is hoping that this will help reduce costs in the long run.
