Construction begins to deliver affordable homes in Wembley

Brent Council and award-winning developer Wates, celebrated the official start on site at Zephaniah House (formerly Ujima House) in Wembley, with a ground-breaking ceremony.

The Zephaniah House site is set to be redeveloped into 54 affordable homes, alongside workspace and a cafe that will further benefit the local community. The former office building was demolished last year and construction work has started on the site.

The redevelopment of Zephaniah House follows substantial progress at Cecil Avenue, the former Copland School site, where work is underway to deliver 237 new homes, including 87 affordable homes. The development will also feature a publicely accessible garden and play area, as well as new commercial spaces aimed at supporting local businesses and around 100 new job opportunities. Additionally, a new community hall will provide a valuable space for residents to meet socially and participate in events and activities.

Both projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property said: “These new homes are an important part of our ongoing efforts to address the housing affordability crisis here in Brent. I am pleased that by the end of next year, we will have new homes for local families a stone’s throw away from each other.”

Paul Nicholls, Regional Managing Director for London at Wates, commented: “Benjamin Zephaniah’s work was all about unity, belonging, and breaking down barriers – and that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Wembley. At Zephaniah House, we’re delivering 54 affordable homes, alongside new spaces for local businesses and the community. Together with the 87 affordable homes at Cecil Avenue, we’re creating 141 much-needed affordable homes, giving families the security and opportunity to thrive. We’re proud to be working with Brent Council to bring this vision to life.”

The ground-breaking event also marked the launch of a £300,000 Community Chest Fund. The new fund will support impactful community-led projects across the borough over the next three years. Grant applications of up to £10,000 are now open, with the deadline for submissions set for Sunday, 23 March 2025. Find out more and apply to the Community Chest Fund.