Rowan Court, Haringey wins the 2026 Neave Brown Award for Housing

Rowan Court – An inspiring example of council-led housing development

We recently took a closer look at Rowan Court, a council-led development in Seven Sisters delivering 46 new social-rent homes on a previously fragmented and underused site.

The project provides an excellent example of how a considered approach to development can go beyond simply delivering new homes, transforming neglected land into a cohesive residential neighbourhood that benefits both new and existing residents.

What particularly stands out is the ambition shown from an early stage. Originally conceived as a smaller infill scheme, the proposals were expanded to incorporate adjoining strips of land and redundant garages. This enabled a more comprehensive redevelopment, maximising the site’s potential and delivering a greater number of much-needed family homes.

The emphasis on resident engagement is also noteworthy. Involving the community from an early stage helped shape the proposals and build support, while the resulting homes demonstrate a commitment to quality, with generous internal spaces, dual-aspect layouts, good natural light and increased ceiling heights.

Beyond the buildings themselves, the development addresses the wider challenges of the site through improved pedestrian connections, active frontages, shared outdoor spaces and a community garden. These interventions have helped create a safer, more welcoming environment and foster a greater sense of community ownership.

For us at Chapter RE, projects such as Rowan Court provide valuable insight into how ambitious, council-led development can unlock the potential of challenging sites and deliver meaningful social value.

It is a reminder that successful housing development is about more than the number of homes delivered; it is about the quality of the places created and the lasting difference they make to people’s lives.