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Britain’s first women’s-only tower block approved by planners

Plans for a women-only tower block in West London have been given the green light by Ealing Council.  

Supported by Women’s Pioneer Housing, an organisation founded by suffragettes a century ago, the new apartment complex for women will consist of 15 storeys of 102 units. The new establishment will offer tenancies to single women, prioritising victims of domestic abuse and black and minority ethnic women who face pay discrimination, so can’t afford private rents.

The original estate at Brook House was built in the 1930s, with additional homes and blocks built in the 1970s. Redevelopment works are expected to commence on the site as early as this summer.

Tracey Downey, Chief Executive at Women’s Pioneer Housing, said: ‘We are delighted to receive planning consent from Ealing Council for this ambitious development, which will help so many women facing abuse, discrimination and social and economic disadvantages, including on the housing market.

‘Women’s Pioneer Housing has worked for more than 100 years with vulnerable women, including in Ealing, and we strongly believe that providing more good-quality, affordable homes for women is critically important, particularly during this cost-of-living and energy crisis.

‘We are more than just ‘bricks and mortar’ – we support our residents’ independence and wellbeing, and this new building will provide a real home for many women in dire need.’

However, not everybody was supportive of the new development as proposals received 56 objections, with eight expressions of support. Concerns which were raised by residents, conservation groups and the Met Police, objected to the height of the building and the risk of anti-social behaviour, as well as the impact on the environment and pollution.

It was also unveiled that the site had not been deemed suitable for tall buildings in Ealing Council’s local strategy. But the local authority said the concerns were ‘not considered sufficient to outweigh’ the recommendation for approval.

Reasons for being so behind building this new apart block can potentially be seen in a report from Women’s Pioneer Housing that was published in 2021. Findings show the average woman in London earned 30.4% less than men, almost double the national average.

In their annual report, the housing association said: ‘There is no region in England where a single woman on an average woman’s salary can afford to rent a private-sector home of her own.’

Image: GRID Architects 

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