Residents in the south London borough of Wandsworth can expect a year of significant progress on major housing and infrastructure projects, with decisions and construction starts set to shape the local landscape throughout 2026.
Major Housing Projects Set for Key Decisions
At the forefront of the council's agenda is the continuation of its Homes for Wandsworth programme, which has now passed the halfway mark towards its target of delivering 1,000 new council homes by 2029. This year will see pivotal steps on several large-scale developments.
A planning application has been submitted for the first phase of the £100million regeneration of the Alton Estate in Roehampton. This initial step, being fast-tracked to avoid delays to the wider masterplan, involves building 55 new council homes and a modern community hub at the estate entrance. The proposed hub would feature a library, study spaces, a youth club, and a new GP surgery to replace The Alton Practice.
Furthermore, a decision is anticipated in 2026 on plans to build 81 new council homes across two new apartment blocks on the nearby Lennox Estate. Priority for these homes will be given to existing overcrowded residents, those looking to downsize, and people in priority need on the housing waiting list.
In a separate partnership, the council has submitted a planning application to deliver 200 new council homes within the Battersea Power Station development masterplan, which will contribute to the overall Homes for Wandsworth target.
Transport Upgrade and Controversial Tower Inquiry
Significant improvements are also coming to local transport. A major £20 million upgrade of Wandsworth Town station is scheduled to begin in February. The project, delivered by Network Rail and South Western Railway in partnership with the council, will install three new lifts and a second entrance at Odyssey Way, making the busy station fully step-free. The works are expected to be completed by summer 2027, with the station remaining open throughout.
Meanwhile, a contentious planning battle will reach a climax with a public inquiry starting on March 17. The inquiry, led by Planning Inspector Joanna Gilbert, will scrutinise developer Rockwell's appeal to overturn the council's rejection of a 29-storey tower at the bottom of Battersea Bridge. The council had previously dismissed the 110-home scheme as "grossly unacceptable."
A Year of Delivery and Debate
With schemes encompassing hundreds of new affordable homes, a landmark station accessibility project, and critical public inquiries, 2026 is poised to be a defining year for Wandsworth. The borough's commitment to addressing housing need and improving infrastructure will move from the planning stage into tangible progress, setting the course for its future development.
