New Harlow Council homes welcome first Harlow families
Harlow Council / Wed 4th Mar 2026 at 08:10am
HARLOW families are now moving into brand-new council homes as developments at Hammers Court (the former Lister House site) and Woodleys are completed. This marks another major milestone in Harlow Council’s work to Build Harlow’s Future and deliver Harlow homes for Harlow people.
The two schemes form part of the council’s housebuilding programme, which is providing modern, high-quality homes, with every property allocated to Harlow families at council rents. It is the biggest period of council housebuilding the town has seen in more than three decades.
Hammers Court delivers 24 new apartments, while Woodleys provides six new houses on a former derelict garage area.
Last week, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, met some of the first Harlow residents moving in:
“We are building more council homes than in the last 30 years combined, and it is genuinely changing people’s lives. These are Harlow homes for Harlow families, and seeing residents move into their new homes shows exactly what Building Harlow’s Future means.”
Among those he met was Dennis, a Harlow resident and army veteran, who shared how much his new apartment will improve daily life for him and his wife. Dennis joined the Leader and Tom Hill from The Hill Group to officially mark the handover of Hammers Court.
Later, the Leader welcomed a family born and raised in Harlow, who were “over the moon” to view their new home in Woodleys – so excited they “couldn’t sleep the night before”.
Councillor Swords said the moment reflected the scale and impact of the council’s efforts:
“This is a huge milestone for our housebuilding programme and another step forward in rebuilding our town. It also reflects the changes we made to the Housing Allocations Policy, ensuring Harlow homes are for Harlow people.”
With more schemes underway, the council is continuing to deliver new, high‑quality, genuinely affordable council homes – ensuring Harlow families can build their future in the town they call home.
Note
The Hammers family were landowners in the south of Harlow. One of houses at Stewards Academy was named after them.
Gary Roberts
2026-03-04 08:21:47
How long will these homes be part of the Harlow council stock? Is the quality better than those built in Church Langley? The best part is the name!
Stuart J
2026-03-04 08:47:26
There should be a legal restriction that prevents these and all other new council properties to be purchased by the tenants under the right to buy scheme. Otherwise the Council waiting list will continue to grow. As for the name, what’s next Spurs Tower or Gunners House?
Gonestone Pigledge
2026-03-04 09:57:46
Com`on you Irons
Eddie
2026-03-04 14:07:53
Gary and Stuart. You are scrapping the bottom of the barrel to find something to complain about. And Gary . I hope they are better quality that Church Langley, because all Church Langley properties are absolutely shit and built on the cheap. Thats coming from someone who worked on them.
Eileen Dover
2026-03-04 15:14:52
Stuart J - agreed. There should now be restrictions to ensure any newly-built properties remain under council ownership. It is simply not fair that people on the waiting list have to wait far too long before council properties become available. Also there are far too many rogue landlords out there, stitching tenants up! Hope the new tenants will treat their new abode like a palace.
David
2026-03-05 00:15:45
Let's hope these new residents look after these lovely new properties, keep them clean and tidy and respect what they've been given!
Ron
2026-03-05 08:17:30
EXCELLENT! Why the name?
Derek Clark
2026-03-05 09:31:41
Great news, this Conservative lead council are really moving this town forward, Dan Swords has really done every well for the people of Harlow, the conservatives council is bringing new shops and busineses to Harlow and that means more work and a better life for us all. This is the best council team this town has had since it became a New Town after the war, especially when you look at the high number of councils in financial trouble. I'm pleased that people are excited about moving it's new council homes, what a wonderful time for them. Well done to the Conservative lead council.
J
2026-03-05 11:20:56
Where are these woodleys houses? Theres already a block of flats called woodleys.
Les Richards
2026-04-15 15:25:37
Finally found the the reason for naming Hammers Court! Who was or is 'Jennings' whose name appears at the other new development along Perry Road (the old Council site) Jennings Place? Not the bookmaker, is it?
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