22 July 2026
Summary: MTVH has joined partners from The Hill Group to mark the completion of Phase 2 in the regeneration of Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove in Hendon.
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) has joined partners from The Hill Group to mark the completion of Phase 2 in the regeneration of Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove in Hendon.
Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove was the first regeneration scheme in London to be approved through a GLA residents’ ballot, making it a landmark example of resident-backed regeneration. In 2018, 75% of residents voted in favour of the proposals, with resident engagement remaining central throughout the design and delivery of the scheme.
Phase 1 saw 79 households return to their new homes, while Phase 2 has delivered a further 172 homes. In 2023, MTVH and partners marked the start of Phase 2, which includes homes for social rent and shared ownership, as well as accommodation for people aged over 55. You can read more about that milestone in our previous story on the start of Phase 2.
The milestone celebrates significant progress in the wider regeneration, which will replace 102 existing homes with 251 new homes for existing and future residents in Barnet, delivering more affordable housing and improved homes for the local community, including 103 affordable rented homes for existing tenants at the same rent levels.
Many former residents have already returned to modern, energy-efficient homes that are cheaper to run and built to contemporary standards. All homes achieve an EPC B rating and feature high-performance glazing to help reduce energy use and household bills.
The milestone was marked by representatives from MTVH and The Hill Group, recognising the progress made through Phase 2 and the work that has gone into bringing this stage of the regeneration forward.
Alongside new homes, the regeneration includes landscaped green spaces, community gardens, allotments and play areas, helping to create a welcoming and sustainable neighbourhood.
The development has also been designed to enhance biodiversity and wellbeing, retaining 92 mature trees while introducing significant new landscaping and outdoor spaces for residents of all ages.
Mel Barrett, Chief Executive of MTVH, said:
“Westhorpe Gardens has always been about far more than delivering new homes, it has been about creating a neighbourhood shaped by the people who live here. From the very beginning, residents have played a central role in influencing the future of the estate, and it is incredibly rewarding to see that shared vision become a reality.
“Working alongside Barnet Council, The Hill Group and our wider partners, we have created a thriving community that combines high-quality affordable homes with attractive public spaces, sustainable design and an environment where residents can build their futures for generations to come.”
Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, said:
“Reaching this milestone is a proud moment for everyone involved in delivering Westhorpe Gardens. Through a strong collaborative partnership with MTVH, Barnet Council and our project team, we have transformed the site into a vibrant new neighbourhood that will have a lasting positive impact on the local community.
“Every aspect of the development has been carefully considered, from the energy-efficient homes and extensive landscaping to the high-quality public spaces and community facilities. We are incredibly proud to have delivered a project that not only meets today’s housing needs but will leave a lasting legacy for Barnet for decades to come.”
Above: Mel Barrett, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH, and Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, cut a ribbon to mark completion of phase 2 of the development.
Above: Representatives from Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) and The Hill Group attend the completion event.
Above: Mel Barrett, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH, and Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, deliver speeches to the assembled group.
Above: Colleagues from Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) and The Hill Group tour the development.