The Government has pumped £4.5m into building 52 new affordable homes on the site of a former petrol station.

The low cost housing, part of the Government’s £250m Housing Pledge to treble investment in housing over the next two years, is planned for the vacant plot at the junction between Lower Richmond Road and Manor Grove.

The development would see 32 affordable homes for first-time buyers and 20 homes for rent built by Notting Hill Housing Trust at a cost of £4.52m.

Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park, Eleanor Tunnicliffe, said: “The high cost of housing in the area is an issue that is often raised with me by residents.

“This new housing will mean that more people in Richmond can rent and own good quality homes at an affordable cost.

“I appreciate that some residents of Manor Grove are concerned about the availability of parking and primary school places if the building goes ahead.

“I sincerely hope that these problems can be resolved during the planning process and this invaluable opportunity to provide more Richmond families with an affordable place to live will not be lost.”

Ed Badke, development director at Notting Hill Housing described the announcement as “excellent news”.

He added that funding was not guaranteed until planning permission had been granted.

A decision is expected in November.

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