Key Points
- Cabinet Approval: The Ealing Council cabinet approved Higgins Partnerships as the new contractor on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, to be responsible for the completion of the remainder of the Green Man Lane regeneration scheme.
- Contractor Change: Higgins takes over from Rydon, who acted as a guarantor after the administration of the previous contractor, REAL London & South East, in 2023, but who did not wish to construct any of the unconstructed phases.
- Number of Homes: The last phase of this regeneration development, in partnership with the housing association A2Dominion, will provide around 400 new homes.
- Construction Start Date: The construction of the unconstructed phases of the project is set to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
- Progress So Far: This regeneration programme has already constructed over 500 new homes, a community centre, a café, and a new premises for St John’s Primary School.
uk/local/ealing/west-ealing/">West Ealing (West London Times) September 10, 2026 — The final phases of the long-standing Green Man Lane estate regeneration project in West Ealing are officially poised to resume following formal cabinet approval from Ealing Council. As reported by Ben Simons of Ealing News, local municipal leaders greenlit the appointment of Higgins Partnerships to spearhead the remaining construction work, stepping into the role previously held by Rydon.
The decision, finalized on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, clears the operational pathway for construction to recommence on a scheme that has faced significant turbulence over recent years. Higgins will collaborate closely with housing association partner A2Dominion to deliver approximately 400 new homes across the concluding stages of the development. Current projections indicate that active construction on site will restart either in late 2026 or early 2027.
Why Was the Regeneration Project Delayed?
The necessity for a new contractor arose following deep disruptions prompted by corporate insolvencies within the construction sector. REAL London & South East, the original firm tasked with delivering substantial parts of the regeneration, collapsed into administration in 2023.
Following that corporate failure, Rydon stepped in as a guarantor to ensure the completion of construction work already underway. However, Rydon subsequently informed Ealing Council that it was not in a commercial or operational position to undertake subsequent phases that had not yet commenced.
Consequently, housing association A2Dominion entered into extensive commercial discussions with Higgins Partnerships to take over from Rydon. Before submitting the proposal to the municipal executive, council officers conducted rigorous financial and commercial checks, ultimately reporting that they were fully satisfied with Higgins’ financial capacity and technical expertise to successfully execute the remainder of the masterplan.
What Has the Project Achieved So Far?
Originally conceived to tackle local shortages of family-sized housing alongside historical issues with crime and anti-social behaviour, the regeneration of the Green Man Lane estate has been unfolding across multiple stages. To date, the initiative has successfully delivered more than 500 new homes.
Beyond residential blocks, past phases have provided vital community infrastructure, including a dedicated community centre, a local community café, and a brand-new facility for St John’s Primary School. Furthermore, the collaborative framework between the chosen delivery partners has a precedent in the area; Higgins and A2Dominion previously partnered on Hanwell Square, also situated in West Ealing, which successfully yielded 360 mixed-tenure homes.
What Have Local Leaders Said About the Approval?
As reported by Ben Simons of Ealing News, Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason emphasised the municipal authority’s core objectives regarding housing delivery. Councillor Peter Mason stated that “building genuinely affordable homes for local people is one of our top priorities, and completing this final phase at Green Man Lane will help hundreds more local families move into new, safe, energy-efficient homes”.
Councillor Peter Mason further noted that
“Green Man Lane has already seen significant improvements with new homes, community facilities and a new school,”
pointing to the tangible transformations already embedded within the West Ealing neighbourhood.
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Background of the Particular Development
The Green Man Lane estate regeneration traces its foundational roots back nearly two decades, initially conceived to replace dilapidated 1970s housing stock that struggled with chronic architectural deficiencies, anti-social behaviour, and a lack of modern family accommodation. Spanning multiple phases of demolition and reconstruction, the masterplan was structured to transform the high-density council estate into a tenure-blind, mixed-community environment.
Over the years, the scheme weathered significant structural hurdles common to major urban renewal projects in London, most notably the sudden insolvency of primary contractor REAL in 2023. Despite these headwinds, the local authority and A2Dominion maintained their joint commitment to fulfilling the social housing obligations tied to the site, culminating in the recent contractual agreement with Higgins Partnerships to push the project across the finish line.
How This Development Can Affect Local Families and Housing Seekers
The restart of the Green Man Lane regeneration scheme carries direct, positive implications for local families on social housing registers and prospective home buyers in West London. By unlocking the delivery of approximately 400 new properties, the concluding phases will inject a much-needed supply of safe, sustainable, and energy-efficient housing options into the local market.
For households caught in London’s wider housing affordability crisis, the project promises a proportion of genuinely affordable rent and shared ownership properties, directly alleviating local waiting lists and providing secure tenure options. Furthermore, the certainty of a confirmed contractor and a late 2026 or early 2027 construction start date brings long-awaited stability to estate residents who have endured prolonged uncertainty following previous contractor collapses.
