A luxury housing development in west London has been awarded an £800,000 grant as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda.
Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms is the beneficiary of a cash injection. This is despite Wandsworth Council’s being in the UK that is not eligible.
After it received a score of ‘3″, the lowest possible rating, on the Government’s ‘Levelling Up index’. This compares different regions of the country’s investment requirements based on socioeconomic data.
The development – which features the world’s first-ever glass swimming pool suspended between two apartment blocks – secured the project despite its homes selling for up to £1.6million.
Aydin Diikerdem of Wandsworth said it was remarkable that Levelling Up money was used for a concert venue ‘in the very same building as the Sky Pool.
World Heart Beat Music Academy, a charity, is spending the money to build a 110-seat auditorium as well as state-of-the art recording and broadcasting equipment.
EcoWorld Ballymore’s housing development features 2,000 high-end homes and offices. The property is also located near the US Embassy.
The funding for Embassy Gardens is coming despite Nine Elms being in the least eligible areas.
EcoWorld Ballymore’s housing development features 22,000 high-end homes and offices. The property is next to the US Embassy.
World Heart Beat Music Academy will spend the money to build a 110-seat auditorium with state-of-the art recording and broadcasting equipment.
World Heart Beat Music Academy offers musical tuition free of charge to youth (Pictured, Artist’s impression at new concert hall).
Construction work has already begun with an opening date and formal launch set for September and May respectively. (Photo: Artist’s impression at Embassy Gardens new recording facilities)
This summer, it came under scrutiny after it emerged that Sky Pool was only available to those who bought or rented apartments for full price.
My London was told by Mr Dikerdem that he heard about funding government youth programs and World Heart Beat is an amazing organisation.
“But it is amazing that Levelling Up funds are being used for concert halls in the same building as the skypool.
“It would be interesting to find out the role of the developer Ballymore in this process.
World Heart Beat Music Academy offers musical tuition free of charge to youth.
In 2017, EcoWorld Ballymore organized a competition that saw 42 projects compete for the “prize” of taking up a space cultural of 750 square metres in the middle of the development.
It was given the space on a ‘peppercorn rent’ – meaning it paid as little as £1 to make the agreement legally binding.
However out of the £2million needed to build the facility, and after securing £800,000 from the UK Government, it still needs to raise a further £600,000.
The construction work for the new facilities is underway with an opening and official launch scheduled for May or September, respectively.
It comes after the Government created a £4.8billion fund as part of its pledge to ‘level-up’ parts of the UK most in need of upgrades in infrastructure and community facilities.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, stated that the money was intended to be used to invest in areas where the greatest impact on daily life can occur, such as ex-industrial zones and deprived communities along the coast.
He told MPs at the end of October that he was allocating the first round of bids from the ‘Levelling Up Fund’, noting it would be £1.7 billion to ‘invest in the infrastructure of everyday life in over 100 local areas’.
After it became clear that Sky Pool access was restricted to residents of apartments purchased at full-price, Embassy Gardens caught fire.
Aydin Diikerdem of Wandsworth said it was remarkable that Levelling Up money was used for a concert venue ‘in the very same building as the Sky Pool.
The awarding of £800,000 for the Embassy Gardens project comes amid fears from campaigners that a slew of regeneration projects in the north side of Wandsworth risk splitting the borough into two tiers (Pictured: Sky Pool)
He added: ‘With £170 million in Scotland, £120 million in Wales, and £50 million in Northern Ireland – more than their Barnett shares. It will all be in the best interests of the United Kingdom.
Sunak stated that government will support projects in Aberdeen, Bury and Burnley, Lewes and Clwyd South, Stoke-on-Trent, and Labour areas of Ashton under Lyne and Doncaster, South Leicester and Sunderland.
However, tens of millions of pounds are also being awarded to areas deemed among the least in need – including just under £20million for Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire.
The awarding of £800,000 for the Embassy Gardens project comes amid fears from campaigners that a slew of regeneration projects in the north side of Wandsworth risks splitting the borough into two tiers.
A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: ‘Securing £800,000 of the Levelling Up Fund is a huge milestone for Wandsworth Council and World Heart Beat.
This money, as “cultural anchor”, partners, will go to cementing a musical basis in Nine Elms. A place fast becoming a destination of arts and cultural organisations.
“We are looking forward to continuing World Heart Beat’s fantastic work in Nine Elms to reach new people and to bring music into our lively neighbourhood.”
Sahana Geo, Artistic Director at World Heart Beat Music Academy, stated: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this extraordinary award by the Levelling Up Fund. It brings us closer to our fundraising target.”
“We think that our brand new, cutting-edge building will serve as a model for music education in the future and be an asset to the local community in an area in desperate need of concert venues.
“Our goal is to make music inspiring, and truly exceptional.
‘And now, with the final £600,000 to raise, we hope businesses and individuals will jump in to support us.’