First Alton block set to be demolished after planning green light

Approval has now been given for development on the whole site known as ‘Block A’ on Danebury Avenue and Holybourne Avenue, which was formerly a Co-op building with residential and offices and a youth club next door.

The site will now be transformed into a purpose-built community complex including a new library, GP practice, council offices and youth space, plus 55 affordable, family-sized council homes next door.

The development marks a key milestone in the council’s delivery of the Alton Renewal Plan for the estate after balloted residents last year voted ‘yes’ in favour of the council’s proposals for better community facilities and public spaces and genuinely affordable homes.

Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I know this is a big moment for the people who live and work here as this block has been an empty eyesore for too long. Now we can get on with transforming this part of the estate by providing the whole Alton community with a fantastic new library, youth facilities and GP practice, alongside affordable council homes and green spaces.”

About the new buildings

• A new community hub (four storeys) will front Danebury Avenue, providing a flexible, long‑life civic building with the library at its heart, plus bookable spaces, youth facilities, council service space and a community hall.
• 55 new council homes to be built in a separate nine‑storey residential building, meeting modern space and accessibility standards and arranged around improved public realm.
• A replacement Alton Practice GP surgery will include more efficient, accessible space.
• Public realm and landscape improvements include more trees and a new play space, creating safer, more inclusive routes along Danebury Avenue and Holybourne Avenue.

What's coming next

In response to residents’ requests for safer and brighter public spaces, this spring the council is installing wayfinding signage around the estate, new artwork on the walkway to the leisure centre and new creative lighting.

Plus, new landscaped play spaces at Alton Activity Centre and Downshire Field were designed with input from local children and will open in time for the summer holidays.

Local children got behind the wheel at the construction site where new playgrounds are being created, seeing first-hand how their ideas for new play spaces are coming to life.

The re-imagined play spaces will be open in time for summer with zoned play areas for different age groups at the Alton Activity Centre, including a dedicated under-5s zone and a youth area featuring dynamic surfaces for active play and movement.

On nearby Downshire Field, which is a Registered Park and Garden, there will be new natural play features, step-free walking loops and informal trails, and climate-resilient plants will boost biodiversity.

Focus Hall re-opening

Elsewhere on the estate, Focus Hall is now open for activities after extensive structural refurbishment works, providing a better and safer community space that can be used by local groups, activities and events.

Last month, local residents were invited to look around the newly-opened building ahead of an official ‘opening event’ on Thursday 26 March.

The council is listening to local residents to hear how they would like to use Focus Hall now and in the future, with the space expected to host community groups and activities alongside cultural events.

Everyone is invited to come along to the Focus Hall opening event on 26 March for creative and wellbeing activities and free refreshments.

About the Alton Renewal Plan

The planning permission for Block A was secured by Wandsworth Council as part of the wider Alton Renewal Plan, delivering a gateway development scheme for the estate.

The renewal plan includes estate‑wide works such as road and pavement repairs, upgraded shop fronts, and improvements to waste and recycling facilities.

The council is investing in early projects that help improve the estate while working on longer-term detailed designs for the whole regeneration area. We are planning to provide up to 650 new homes, together with the new library, GP surgeries, youth facilities, Family Hub, improved shops, green spaces and better routes around the estate.

Find out more about the Alton Renewal Plan.