Barnsbury, London Borough of Islington for Newlon Housing Trust and Mount Anvil

Barnsbury, London Borough of Islington for Newlon Housing Trust and Mount Anvil

 

Barnsbury Estate Regeneration, led by Mount Anvil in partnership with Newlon, is transforming the local neighbourhood by delivering high-quality affordable homes, improved public realm and sustainable infrastructure. The project replaces outdated blocks with a mix of new council and affordable homes, alongside community facilities, landscaped open spaces and safer walking routes. Employment, training and local procurement opportunities are prioritised to benefit residents. Careful consultation with the community has shaped design and phasing to minimise disruption while creating a greener, more connected estate for future generations.

 

 

Describe the context of the community engagement. Why did the engagement take place?

 

The existing Barnsbury site is managed by social housing provider Newlon Housing Trust, which recognised the need for a transformation of an estate hampered by damp, leaks, unsuitable layouts and poor storage. 
 
 In recognition of its track record of quality regeneration, Mount Anvil was brought in to develop a masterplan. Its proposals combined rebuilds and refurbishments to deliver 426 social housing units, including 291 replacement homes for existing residents at preserved rents, plus a rebuilt community centre and 16,000 sqm of high-quality open spaces. 
 
 At Mount Anvil, working with and listening to its communities is considered not simply best practice, but a privilege. This core value underpinned its approach to Barnsbury, with plans guided by regular community input. In 2021, residents voted on the redevelopment in what was the first Estate Ballot held in Islington, with 73% voting yes. A hybrid planning application was approved in 2022, with Mount Anvil holding a party to celebrate the permission that was attended by 146 people.
 
 In 2023, updates to fire safety regulations obliged Mount Anvil to reconfigure its plans. Though residents were left understandably frustrated, the strong relationships Mount Anvil had forged ensured these redesigns would benefit from their input and support, rather than opposition. Mount Anvil also believes that when projects face such challenges, its team can make a real difference in steering the community through periods of uncertainty. With this in mind, the team came up with additional programmes to support Barnsbury residents and ensure they were heard.

 

Who did you engage with and how?

 

Mount Anvil established the New Barnsbury Advisory Panel, which meets regularly to update community members on the project. These meetings are supported with translation services so that all members can participate in their preferred language. 
 
The team also developed a strategy to enrich Barnsbury’s sense of community, based around social initiatives that address residents’ needs and connect with different demographics. Dozens of free workshops were held at the existing community centre, such as meditation and mindfulness sessions to enhance people’s wellbeing, and upcycling craft workshops that supported residents to socialise. Community celebrations meanwhile recognised Barnsbury’s rich cultural fabric, with special events held for Eid and Black History Month. In total, the team has staged 198 events spanning 515 hours and attended by 5,575 visitors.
 
The team held 16 free events for Mental Health Awareness Week, complemented by annual resident wellbeing surveys. These assess perceptions of the project, gauging how valued and informed residents feel. Mount Anvil also supported Newlon Housing Trust in partnering with a local mental health outreach charity that connects people with foodbanks, wellbeing services and financial advisers.
 
 Mount Anvil devised a particularly innovative approach to engaging young people and supporting their wellbeing. With a new basketball court planned, the developer reached out to the London Lions team. This collaboration led to coaching sessions, tournaments and invitations to games, with young residents consulted on the artwork for the new court and other outdoor spaces. Local artists subsequently produced designs that were voted on at the residents’ summer party.

 

Have you continued the conversation? Will the community stay involved? 

 

Mount Anvil will maintain and expand its engagement with the community as Barnsbury’s redevelopment moves into the construction phase. Once work is underway, the developer will host regular ‘meet the site team’ drop-in sessions to ensure open, continuous dialogue. Mount Anvil is also looking ahead to engagement initiatives that will benefit residents post-completion. These include working with the London Fire Brigade to promote cooking safety and share best practice with tenants.
 
The team’s events programme is ongoing and will remain at the heart of the community as work progresses. Recent events have included a Black History Month film screening in October, while a range of community workshops are also in the pipeline. Among these will be sessions inviting residents to design a section of hoarding, based around the theme of what Barnsbury means to them. These sessions will be run by another local artist, Naliah, as part of the project team’s commitment to supporting the area’s vibrant cultural network.
 
One section of hoarding already installed features designs by local artist, Stazzy, which were selected by residents. Stazzy is among the creative talents leading the design of the new basketball court, alongside young people from the estate and the London Lions team. Mount Anvil’s partnership with the Lions will continue to create opportunities for activities, such as workshops for young residents and training sessions with top players. The project team is constantly exploring new and innovative ways such as these to deliver greater social value for the people of Barnsbury.