Westminster City Council secures landmark Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approval for £229M second phase of Ebury Bridge regeneration, in partnership with McLaren Construction

Westminster City Council (‘The Council’) has achieved critical Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for Phase Two of Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration scheme, in partnership with main contractor for the project, McLaren Construction.

The approval of four complex building safety applications marks a major milestone for the project, paving the way for the start of major construction works on Phase Two.

Located in Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Ebury Bridge is one of the council’s largest regeneration projects where Westminster is leading on the comprehensive redevelopment of the existing 1930s estate. Once completed, the project will see 781 high-quality new homes, a series of interlinked public squares, a new retail parade and communal facilities.

Achieving BSR approval is the culmination of months of detailed work by the Council, McLaren Construction and the wider consultant team. Achieving the regulator’s 'Gateway2' approval demonstrates that each of the new buildings meet the highest fire and structural safety benchmarks mandated under the UK Building Safety Act.

Following the successful completion of Phase One, Phase Two will deliver 334 high-quality homes in a new mixed tenure neighbourhood - the largest of three phases at the scheme. It represents a major milestone in the Council’s housebuilding programme as the authority continues to tackle the acute shortage of affordable housing in the City.

Councillor David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration at Westminster City Council said:

"Securing BSR approval for Phase Two of the Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme is a really significant achievement for the project. It provides our residents with reassurance that their new homes have met the rigorous demands set by the regulator in design, safety and delivery planning. Collaboration with our main contractor McLaren has been key to achieving this milestone and it now gives the team the certainty needed to move ahead. I’m excited that this has been achieved and we can continue the momentum in delivering the largest council development in this part of Westminster in over 60 years.”

Paul Woodhams, Manging Director for Regeneration at McLaren Construction said:

"Ebury Bridge is one of the most significant regeneration projects in London and securing Gateway 2 approval for the second phase is a result of the collaboration between the Council, our team, the wider supply chain and the regulator, ensuring we deliver quality homes for local people. This is a complex project with five buildings which required four separate building safety applications and approvals and the team has done a fantastic job in securing a successful outcome.”