Barnsbury Estate

Newlon’s management of the Barnsbury Estate in Islington is notable for two main reasons.

First, we completed a five year, £20m refurbishment scheme a whole year ahead of schedule.  And second, our involvement in the estate has benefited from a very close partnership with the residents.

Consisting of 646 homes, the 1930s-built estate had suffered from several years of neglect.  Then, in 1999 an overwhelming 82 per cent of residents voted for the estate to be transferred to Newlon. 

This ballot followed a period of extensive consultation, in which a schedule of works was agreed and prioritised.  The work was then carried out in partnership with two extremely active, resident-led organisations:  the Barnsbury Estate Local Management Organisation and the Barnsbury Estate Community Association.

The refurbishment programme, including replacement kitchens and bathrooms, road resurfacing, the creation of private gardens, new balconies and new security systems, was carried out in partnership with Lovell and MDA.

The Barnsbury estate is an example of how transfers can work with strong partnership and resident involvement.

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