Hackney Council appoints Wates to finish Britannia housing scheme after cost surge
The new contractor will deliver 371 homes on the Hoxton‑Shoreditch border, but the budget has risen to more than £197 million and transparency concerns remain
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Hackney Council announced on 3 September 2026, as reported by the Hackney Citizen, that Wates Group Ltd will take over the Britannia regeneration project. The change directly affects the delivery of 51 social‑rental units, 30 shared‑ownership homes and 290 houses for market sale on the Hoxton‑Shoreditch border.
Background to the contractor collapse
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The original builder, Ardmore Construction Group Ltd, entered administration on 11 June 2026 following a High Court Building Liability Order that made several Ardmore entities liable for historic cladding‑safety claims. Hackney Council said the order was unrelated to the Britannia scheme, but the administrator’s appointment halted all on‑site activity and forced the council to terminate the existing contract.
Cost escalation
Council documents show the phase 2b budget was set at £153.9 million in 2023. Updated estimates now exceed £197 million, reflecting the expense of re‑tendering, the delay caused by the administration and the higher rates quoted by potential new contractors. Hackney Council said the revised figure is “now likely to exceed” the original approved amount, as reported by the Hackney Citizen.
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Contractual process and delegated powers
The transfer from Ardmore Construction Ltd to its parent company was signed off by senior officers using delegated powers, without a formal cabinet meeting. Hackney Council said legal advice confirmed the new entity could fulfil the contract and that the substance of the agreement remained unchanged. The council’s own papers confirm this procedure, as reported by the Hackney Citizen.
Transparency dispute
The Local Democracy Reporting Service sought copies of the financial guarantees and the legal advice that underpinned the delegated‑powers decision. Hackney Council refused the request, citing legal and commercial sensitivity as outweighing the public interest. The council’s refusal was recorded in the Freedom of Information response, as reported by the Hackney Citizen.
Hackney Council now plans a six‑month construction phase starting in early summer 2027, with progress to be monitored by senior officers. Residents with concerns are advised to contact the council’s housing regeneration team for updates on rehousing options and the revised timetable.
Questions this report answers
+Who will build the remaining homes on the Britannia site?
Wates Group Ltd has been appointed by Hackney Council to complete the Britannia regeneration, delivering 51 social‑rental, 30 shared‑ownership and 290 market‑sale homes. The appointment was announced on 3 September 2026 and reported by the Hackney Citizen.
+How much has the project’s budget increased?
The estimated cost has risen from the £153.9 million approved in 2023 to over £197 million, according to council documents cited by the Hackney Citizen. The increase reflects the contractor change, delays and higher construction rates.
+Why did the council refuse the Freedom of Information request?
Hackney Council declined the request for financial guarantees and legal advice, arguing that the information is subject to legal and commercial sensitivity. The council said this justification outweighed the public interest, as recorded in the FoI response reported by the Hackney Citizen.
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