Islington Council Opens Land for Residential Development Applications

Islington Council released details on 7 July 2026 for the sale of two parcels of land in the borough, with applications due by 31 August.

The move comes as house prices in the area continue to climb and the council seeks to increase the supply of affordable units on former public sites. Demand for new homes has risen sharply since 2024, with waiting lists for social housing now exceeding 18,000 households.

Who can apply

Priority goes to registered housing associations and developers committing at least 40 per cent of units as affordable. Individual buyers do not qualify directly, but local key workers living within two miles of the sites receive preference once schemes are built. The parcels sit on Essex Road near the junction with Canonbury Road and on Liverpool Road adjacent to Barnsbury Park. Both locations fall under the council’s existing programme that requires schemes to meet the 2025 London Plan density targets.

Application process and numbers

Interested parties must submit bids through the council’s online portal at islington.gov.uk/landrelease, including proof of funding and a design statement. A £2,500 non-refundable fee applies. The sites together could deliver 87 homes, according to the council’s viability study released last month. Average sale prices for new flats in Islington reached £712,000 in the first quarter of 2026, up 6 per cent on the previous year. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 October and must begin construction within 18 months.

Developers seeking further information can attend a briefing at Islington Town Hall on 22 July at 6pm. Full guidance documents and site plans are available on the council website now.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.