Only Fools and Horses tower block where Del Boy lived in classic sitcom to be demolished and turned into £1BILLION flats
Ealing Council is to demolish the tower block used as the home for Del Boy in the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses as part of its redevelopment plans
THE tower block which was used as the setting for the iconic sitcom Only Fools and Horses is to be demolished to make way for new flats.
Harlech Tower, which was used to portray the outside of the fictional Nelson Mandela House where Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his family lived, is to be torn down.
The block is actually in the West London suburb of Ealing, although Nelson Mandela House was set 13 miles away in Peckham, south east London.
It is part of Acton Gardens, formerly known as the South Acton Estate, which has been undergoing redevelopment since 2012.
Ealing Council granted outline planning permission for 1,950 homes in December, with more than 3,000 planned for the future.
Part of the regeneration will see Harlech Tower demolished.
About half the new homes will be sold to private buyers and the rest are earmarked for affordable housing for the estate's 5,000 existing residents.
The homes are being built 'tenure blind' with new private owners living next to council tenants.
By the time the homes are finished in the mid-2020s, they are expected to be worth about £1 billion.
Barton Willmore, who secured planning permission on behalf of Acton Gardens LLP, said it was a "major step forward" for the redevelopment.
Bob McCurry, planning director, said: "The council's resolution to grant planning permission for this exemplar scheme not only heralds a milestone in the continued regeneration of this area, but also means we are a step closer to delivering new homes for 8,000 people and helping to provide a large proportion of the Borough's affordable housing provision."
Mark Ludlow of Acton Gardens LLP, added: "We genuinely welcome Ealing Council's decision which enables us to create more affordable and private homes at Acton Gardens, without comprising on quality, design and public amenities.
"London's housing needs have changed considerably since the original masterplan was conceiv
ed, so this revised masterplan will deliver a scheme that more closely matches the community's needs and desires.
"The complex and lengthy application process has been skilfully managed by Barton Willmore with the desired result that new homes can be delivered for those looking to live in this thriving location."
A spokesman for Ealing Council told The Sun Online: “In early episodes of Only Fools & Horses, the exterior of Nelson Mandela House was represented by Harlech Tower, part of the South Acton housing estate which was built between the 1950s and late 1970s.
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“Tired and nearing the end of its life expectancy, the estate is currently undergoing a £650m rejuvenation to become Acton Gardens, which will provide 3,717 brand new high-quality, safe and comfortable homes alongside a community hall, youth centre and other facilities. Some of those homes will count towards our ambitious plans to create 2,500 more genuinely affordable homes by 2022 – the highest council homebuilding target in London.
“The regeneration has proved very popular with existing residents – the vast majority have requested a new home at the redeveloped estate.
“We value our borough’s connection to Only Fools and Horses and the series is commemorated within public artwork at South Acton Station.”
Only Fools and Horses was voted the best loved sitcom of all time in November 2017.