Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz visited the construction sites at Freemasons Road and William Paton, expressing her enthusiasm for the progress
Phase One of the Custom House regeneration project is progressing rapidly, with 95 affordable new social homes set for completion this summer. Among them, 39 are designed as larger family homes, while 10 will be fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity and meeting the needs of a diverse community.
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz visited the construction sites at Freemasons Road and William Paton, expressing her enthusiasm for the progress. As a former ward councillor for Custom House, she emphasised her personal connection to the project and the importance of delivering much-needed housing for local families.
“These beautiful new homes will provide a lifeline for many families in desperate need of decent and truly affordable housing within their own communities,” she stated. “I am proud that this first phase of regeneration is being delivered through our Affordable Homes for Newham programme, which has already provided 500 homes and remains on track to deliver 1,000 more by 2026. This initiative is a crucial part of Newham’s contribution to the government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes.”
Newham has emerged as one of the UK’s most active boroughs in housebuilding, recording the fourth highest number of new home starts nationwide over the past year. Within London, it ranks second for both housing starts and completions, underlining the council’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis. The Custom House regeneration is a key component of this strategy, ensuring more residents have access to quality, affordable homes.
Beyond providing essential housing, the project has contributed significantly to local employment, supporting 82 jobs and creating 13 apprenticeships. This aligns with the Council’s broader Community Wealth Building aspirations, which aim to boost economic opportunities for residents while fostering local skills development.
We are delighted to be working closely with our partners at Newham to deliver this outstanding affordable housing. We have built the new homes here to Passivhaus standards and hope they will have a positive impact on the environment and on the lives of local people for many generations to come.
Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group
Contractor Hill, responsible for delivering the homes, has also been engaging with local schools, offering work experience opportunities to students. Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, expressed his delight at collaborating with the London Borough of Newham on this project. “We are pleased to be working in close partnership to deliver outstanding affordable housing that meets the highest sustainability standards. These new homes have been built to Passivhaus specifications, ensuring they have a lasting positive impact on both the environment and the well-being of local families. In addition to delivering vital homes, we are proud to have contributed to the community by creating more than 80 jobs and 13 apprenticeships,” he said.
The homes will be allocated to eligible residents as part of the Custom House Phase One masterplan, with priority given to families currently living in temporary accommodation. This initiative is expected to provide long-term housing stability while also helping Newham Council reduce the financial burden of temporary accommodation costs.
A “local lettings plan” has been developed in collaboration with the Custom House resident steering group to ensure fair and transparent allocation of these new homes. By involving local residents in the process, the Council aims to build a stronger, more inclusive community where people can take pride in their neighbourhoods and secure a brighter future.
As the first phase of the Custom House regeneration nears completion, the project stands as a testament to Newham’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis, creating employment opportunities, and fostering community development. With further plans in place, the borough remains at the forefront of delivering sustainable and affordable homes for its residents.
