A development of council homes in Kidbrooke is on the shortlist foir a prestigious architecture prize alongside the new Sadlers Wells theatre and luxury housing in Chelsea.

The 122-home development at Kidbrooke Park Road North, built by Greenwich Council, is one of 72 that have been nominated for the Royal Institute of British Architects London Awards 2026. 

As well as one, two and three-bedroom homes, the estate at Ignatius Sancho Road – designed by HTA Design – also features a nursery and play areas. 

Eventually, the blocks will be joined by another 450 homes next door, with shops and more play areas.

The estate, which is on the former site of Thomas Tallis School, is part of the 1,750-home Greenwich Builds programme begun by former council leader Danny Thorpe in 2018. A total of 591 homes are now complete, with 528 under construction.

The project was approved by councillors in November 2020, with Thorpe promising “the very best 21st-century council housing”. However, there have been reported problems with the water and electricity supply, with residents complaining of disruption from the buillding works next door.

Initially, the aim was for the council to build all the new homes itself, but a year ago it opted to scale back the scheme to buy homes from  developers instead. 

Current council leader Anthony Okereke said: “Kidbrooke Park Road North is the jewel in the crown of our Greenwich Builds programme, delivering 452 of the 1,750 council homes we’re creating across the borough.  

“We believe it to be one of, if not the largest new 100 per cent social housing schemes in the UK, and for it to be recognised by the most prestigious architectural awards body in the country is a huge endorsement of our approach to tackling the housing crisis.”

Also on the shortlist is The Clearing, a woodland classroom in Lesnes Abbey Wood, designed by the architects WonKy alongside the trust that manages the woods. 

Situated in a former Bexley Council yard, it makes use of a large parachute to create an all-weather outdoor education space, along with an old shipping container and a tower inspired by the fishing lofts of Hastings.

Both Kidbrooke Park Road North and The Clearing sit  alongside some of the best-known new developments in the Olympic Park – the Sadlers Wells East theatre and UCL East and One Pool Street – on the shortlist.

A conversion of London Underground’s old Lots Road power station into flats – Chelsea Waterfront – is also nominated, as is the revamp of the old Arding & Hobbs department store in Battersea.

Winners will be announced in the spring, and will be eligible for RIBA London Special Awards and the organisation’s National Award, from which the Stirling Prize shortlist is drawn.

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