Catalyst, Hill and GLA exchange contracts at St Ann’s New Neighbourhood

Separately, Catalyst and The Hill Group have also exchanged contracts on a joint venture partnership with Hill acting as development partner for the project.

Catalyst was selected by the Mayor of London to develop the former St Ann’s Hospital site in late 2020, with a shared goal of delivering more affordable homes. Since then, Catalyst has been working closely with Hill and GLA to develop the plans. 

A hybrid planning application was submitted in July last year following extensive community involvement. Planning consent was granted last December for almost 1000 new homes, 60 per cent of which will be affordable, delivering much-needed housing.

Overall, the scheme promises a range of tenures including London Affordable Rent, London Living Rent, private sale, and shared ownership homes.

The scheme will bring significant benefits to the area including new and enhanced green spaces. The central Peace Garden will be retained and extended to three times its current size.

The plans also include new safe and accessible cycle routes through the site towards Haringey Green Lanes station, as well as shops, amenities, community-led housing, and affordable workspaces.

Philip Jenkins, Executive Director of Development at the Peabody Group, of which Catalyst is a subsidiary, said: “Entering into contracts with The Hill Group and the GLA to deliver this new neighbourhood is an exciting milestone for us. Our track record of making a positive difference in the communities we serve - creating high quality homes, buildings, and places - helped secure our successful bid to deliver this project. Being in agreement means we can now get to work, and start building much-needed, affordable homes for local people. We look forward to realising the vision for St Ann’s and welcoming customers to their new homes”.

Andy Hill, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group comments: “We were selected by Catalyst due to our wealth of experience in creating homes and sustainable communities across London and the South, and we are delighted to have now signed contracts to forge ahead with the delivery of this landmark development. We look forward to working together to create hundreds of much-needed new affordable homes for Londoners through this partnership.”  

The first phase, being delivered by Peabody following its full merger with Catalyst in April, will begin in March 2023. This phase will see the delivery of 239 homes with outline plans for an additional 756 homes over future phases.

The first homes are expected to be complete from 2025, with the final development completion expected in 2030. 

Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, said: “The Mayor and I are delighted that City Hall has now entered into a development agreement with Catalyst for this exemplary housing scheme, which will allow nearly 1,000 new homes to be delivered on the St Ann’s site.

“By purchasing this site using his Land Fund, the Mayor has ensured that 60 per cent of these homes will be genuinely affordable, including council homes, key worker housing for NHS staff, and 50 community-led homes. The sale also allows the local NHS Trust to invest in the construction of new, state-of-the-art facilities for patients.

“We look forward to following the site’s progress."