Development of Former South Street Garage Block Finished

12 accessible flats are of an energy efficient design

Adan Yusuf (pictured in his wheelchair with councillors and developers). Picture: Jenna Selby/Habinteg Housing Association

April 9, 2025

A new accessible housing development has been completed Isleworth. With Hounslow Council, Habinteg Housing have built 12 new flats on South Street after a year and a half of construction.

The development includes two fully wheelchair-accessible homes and is already housing people. The flats are built on the site of a demolished garage block, one of 13 small sites to be developed by Habinteg.

Of the 12 homes, two are wheelchair-accessible one-bedroom flats, and the other 10 are for general needs. Of these, six are one-bedroom flats, and four are two-bedroom flats.

Adan Yusuf is one resident who has recently moved into one of the new homes. He says he is over the moon and has been waiting for an accessible home for several years.

He said, “I’ve been waiting for this type of accommodation since 2021. Words aren’t enough to describe my happiness about my new home. Everything is accessible to me and easy to manage, from the front door and bedroom to the toilet and kitchen. I have enough space to move around freely.”

The general needs homes are built to the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard. These are homes built to higher accessibility standards than the default standard and therefore require fewer adaptations and are easier to adapt when the need arises.

Adan in his new home. Picture: Jenna Selby/Habinteg Housing Association

For example: the walls are strong enough to install grab rails if required, there’s a hidden floor gully to allow a walk-in shower or wet room to be easily installed, and the staircase is wide enough to allow a stairlift. These are some of the many ways the flats are designed to allow people to remain independent in their own homes for longer.

The sustainability of the development was key for Hounslow Council and Habinteg Housing. It is a ‘fabric first’ construction that prioritised energy efficiency, focusing on the walls, roofs, floors, and doors at the start of the design and development process to minimise heat loss. The pitched roof building also has air source heat pumps and triple glazing.

Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, described the new homes as an example of how partnerships and sustainability can create accessible, efficient homes for Hounslow residents.

He added, “This project not only transforms underused land into valuable housing but also reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and environmental responsibility, making significant strides towards meeting the housing needs of our residents”

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter