A Peabody's resident says he is “over the moon” after moving into one of the housing estate’s four new bungalows on its Hammersmith estate.

Melvin Parker, who has lived in a Peabody housing association property for 16 years, moved into the two-bedroom home with his son, a trainee chef.

The bungalows have been built on conservation area land on the Fulham Palace Road estate, which has been converted from a disused workshop and laundry buildings.

He decided to quit his old flat after his daughter moved out, because the property was too big.

Melvin Parker outside his new Peabody property
Melvin Parker outside his new Peabody property

He moved in at the end of February and said: “We’ve lived in Hammersmith for the past 10 years, and before that were at nearby Lillie Road. Before moving into the bungalow we were in a three-bed flat.

“When my daughter moved out it was clear that the place was too big for just the two of us. Then the bedroom tax came along, and we were in a position where we really needed to downsize.

“I took notice when they started building these new homes on the estate, but never thought we would end up living in one. I was over the moon when I got the phone call telling us we’d been offered. It really is a beautiful place - warm, with lots of storage space. There’s plenty of room for us both.

“We’ve never had a garden before and I’m really looking forward to sitting out on the terrace once the weather improves. We feel very privileged to have a lovely new home on the same estate and it’s great that we have been able to free up our old place for a family that needs it.”

Peabody development manager James Hawton said development such as this were vital.

He added: “Making the best use of vacant or underutilised land through infill developments is critical to boosting housing supply, but also to delivering homes that contribute to the success of our communities across London.”