Queen's House, in the heart of Twickenham was officially opened on September 19.

The development created by Thames Valley Housing (TVH) created 45 affordable homes in the area. Richmond MP Sir Vince Cable and the Mayor of Richmond both attended the opening on the Holly Road site.

It 16 affordable rented properties and 29 shared ownership homes, set in communal gardens, near Twickenham train station, bus station and high street.

Supported by the grants from Richmond Borough Council and the Greater London Authority, the £14.7m TVH project was developed with Thomas Sinden Limited and Welling Partnerships to transform an under-used office block into high quality 100% affordable accommodation in an area of London which struggles to provide affordable homes due to high property values.

The development consists of three one bed apartments and 13 two bed apartments for affordable rent, including three duplexes and five wheelchair adaptable apartments as well as 29 1 and 2 bed SO apartments. The development also includes cycle storage with green roofs, car parking and a roof top garden.

The Rt. Hon Vince Cable MP said: “We are delighted that TVH has been able to achieve these high quality, affordable homes right in the heart of the borough. These new homes will help to address the housing need in the borough and I hope that the residents will be happy here for years to come.”

Chatinder Bal, Residential Development Director at TVH added: “We’re delighted to have worked in partnership with Richmond Borough Council, the Greater London Authority, and Thomas Sinden to transform this under-used office block into some 29 high quality affordable homes for families while being able to offer social housing to 16 more households.”

Cllr Liz Jaeger, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, also attended the launch. She said: “Well done TVH. This is very good news for people trying to get on the housing ladder and those in need of affordable rented housing. We are committed to supporting and working as closely as we can with our partner housing associations to deliver more excellent schemes of this nature.

"Together we are always looking at new approaches to increase supply and extend existing stock. This development is an example of the Council, working with TVH, to identify a use for what has been a very underused building for a number of years."

Staff from Thames Valley Housing and Thomas Sinden took part in a sponsored abseil down the 8-storey building throughout the event to raise funds for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Transverse Myelitis Society.