Hackney Wimbourne Street Housing Scheme Nears Completion 2026

Key Points

• The Wimbourne Street development in Hackney, London, is progressing toward completion in Spring 2026, delivering 59 new homes on a previously underused infill site.​
• The project includes two buildings: Wimbourne North Block and Wimbourne South Block, designed by architects Mikhail Riches, featuring a café or commercial space, a children’s playground, and new landscaped areas.​
• Housing mix comprises 27 homes for council social rent, 12 for shared ownership, and 20 for outright sale, prioritised for local residents.​
• Site visited recently by Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development; Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley; Hackney Council representatives; and Higgins Partnerships, the construction partner.​
• Tom Copley stated: “It was a pleasure to visit the Wimbourne Street development in Hackney, where 59 new homes will provide a much-needed affordable housing boost. This once underused site will help people put down roots in their local area and deliver new commercial and green space for the community to enjoy. This regeneration supports our work to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”​
• Declan Higgins, Chief Executive of Higgins Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome the deputy mayor to Wimbourne Street to see the progress being made. This development is not only delivering much-needed affordable homes but also creating a high-quality place that will benefit both new and existing residents for years to come. Alongside delivering new homes, we have been working closely with the local community to provide training and employment opportunities, ensuring the development delivers lasting social value to the area.”​
• Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley added: “It was brilliant to join Tom Copley, deputy mayor of London for housing, Dame Meg Hillier MP and Higgins at Wimbourne Street, where beautifully designed new council homes are nearing completion and residents will soon be moving in. These are some of the 1000 council homes we’re delivering across Hackney, all prioritised for local people in housing need.”​
• The development is part of Hackney Council’s Housing Supply Programme, repurposing smaller urban sites to address London’s housing shortage.​
• Broader context: Hackney Council aims for 1,000 new council homes by 2026, with 956 social rented homes in delivery as of July 2025, per Councillor Nicholson at Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission.​
• Hackney New Homes Programme targets 500 homes across seven projects on brownfield sites, majority affordable, with Passivhaus certification; construction starts 2026 on south sites with architects Howarth Tompkins, Sergison Bates, Balaam Murphy, and Nooma.
• Pocket Living’s Mandeville Street scheme approved July 2025: 46 homes (43 one-bed discounted, 3 two-bed market sale), 91% affordable by habitable room, on former health centre site.​
• Thomasin Renshaw, Pocket Living’s Development Director, commented: “This decision will enable many local people in Hackney access to high-quality housing at a discounted value. It marks our third successful application in London this year and will allow us to continue to provide housing for the next generation of homeowners. We know, however, that there is still more that needs to be done to tackle the housing crisis for the next generation. There needs to be greater acceleration in the unlocking of small sites that will allow us and other SME developers to deliver more affordable homes for a variety of needs.”
• Notting Hill Genesis topped out Hackney Yards November 2025: 190 fully affordable one-, two-, and three-bed homes near Hackney Wick Overground, exceeding minimum space standards.​
• Peabody partnership with £6m council grant (from Right to Buy receipts): 46 Hackney Living Rent homes, including 12 at Morpeth Road for key workers like teachers and NHS staff, capped at a third of median local incomes.​
• Councillor Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration, stated during visit: “Even with such a shortfall we have ensured that the Council will use every penny it receives through Right to Buy to help deliver our ambitions to build 1,000 new Council homes by 2026. Despite all the challenges stacked up against us, the Council is working with partners like Peabody, to deliver on this new homes commitment and through every means possible.”​
• Nine 100% social family-sized homes at Nye Bevan Estate in Clapton, backed by £2.25m from Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Programme; Tom Copley said: “It’s fantastic that nine brand-new family-sized homes will be built at Nye Bevan Estate in Hackney thanks to a £2.25 million investment through the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Programme.”​

Hackney (East London Times) March 10, 2026 – A major residential development on Wimbourne Street in Hackney is nearing completion, set to deliver 59 new homes as part of the borough’s push to tackle London’s housing crisis through affordable options and community enhancements.​

The project, featuring Wimbourne North Block and Wimbourne South Block on a former underused infill site, includes 27 council social rent homes, 12 shared ownership units, and 20 for outright sale, all prioritised for locals. Designed by Mikhail Riches architects, it also incorporates a café or commercial space, children’s playground, and landscaped areas to boost community life. High-profile visitors, including Deputy Mayor Tom Copley and Mayor Caroline Woodley, recently toured the site with Higgins Partnerships, highlighting its role in Hackney’s wider housing ambitions.​

What Progress Has the Wimbourne Street Development Made?

As reported by Bdaily, the Wimbourne Street scheme is on track for Spring 2026 completion, transforming an underutilised site into vital housing. Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, toured alongside Mayor Caroline Woodley, council officials, and Higgins Partnerships. Copley praised it as a “much-needed affordable housing boost” that allows locals to “put down roots” while adding commercial and green spaces.​

Declan Higgins, Chief Executive of Higgins Group, emphasised community engagement: Higgins has provided training and jobs to ensure “lasting social value.” Mayor Woodley noted the homes’ design quality, linking them to Hackney’s 1,000 council homes target, all for those in need. This fits the council’s Housing Supply Programme, focusing on small urban sites.

How Does Wimbourne Fit into Hackney’s 1,000 Homes Goal?

Hackney Council pledged 1,000 new social rent homes by 2026, announced by then-Mayor Philip Glanville in 2022. At the July 2025 Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission, Councillor Nicholson confirmed 956 social rented homes in delivery, though not all complete by May 2026. Chair Soraya Adejare queried timelines; Nicholson affirmed progress despite challenges. Councillor Faruk Tinaz sought details on 90 buy-back homes, with a third family-sized (three-plus bedrooms).

The programme recycles Right to Buy funds, as per Councillor Nicholson: the council uses “every penny” for 1,000 homes via direct builds and partners.​

What Is the Hackney New Homes Programme?

Exigere details the Hackney New Homes Programme redeveloping brownfield sites for ~500 homes across seven projects, majority affordable. The south sites span nine locations (10-100 units), with architects Howarth Tompkins, Sergison Bates, Balaam Murphy, and Nooma. Homes target Passivhaus standards for energy efficiency, plus public spaces. Construction starts 2026, including local jobs like graduate placements.

Which Other Recent Schemes Are Boosting Affordable Housing?

Pocket Living secured permission July 2025 for Mandeville Street: 46 homes on ex-health centre land, 43 one-beds at 20% discount for Hackney first-time buyers/workers under income caps, three two-beds market sale (91% affordable). Thomasin Renshaw highlighted community support, including from Mossbourne Academy teacher, and called for faster small-site unlocks.

Notting Hill Genesis topped out Hackney Yards November 2025: 190 fully affordable homes (one-three beds) near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Wick station, exceeding space standards.​

Peabody’s £6m council-funded project delivers 46 Hackney Living Rent homes, like 12 at Morpeth Road for key workers (teachers, NHS) at one-third median income.​

At Nye Bevan Estate, Clapton, nine 100% social family homes approved November 2025 with £2.25m London funding; Councillor Marks called it “unusual” for full social focus. Tom Copley welcomed the investment.​

Why Are These Projects Vital for Hackney?

These initiatives address acute shortages, blending social rent, shared ownership, and discounts for locals. Sustainability features like Passivhaus reduce costs and emissions. Community benefits include jobs, training, playgrounds, and green spaces. Officials stress prioritisation for housing need, key workers, and families.

Despite progress, scrutiny persists on timelines and family units. Partnerships with GLA, Peabody, Pocket Living, and Higgins exemplify collaborative efforts.

What Challenges Remain in Hackney Housing?

Councillors note not all 1,000 homes finish by 2026, though in pipeline. Broader calls, like Renshaw’s, urge policy acceleration for small sites. Funding relies on Right to Buy recycling amid shortfalls. Yet, schemes like Wimbourne show momentum toward fairer housing.