Black Raven Court Opens: New Housing, School, and Shops

0:00On March 10, residents in Central London are finally moving into Black Raven Court, a new council estate on the edge of Islington and the city. Officials opened 66 social rent flats there last week on March 4 after the project set empty since 2024. Earlier delays stem from insurance problems with the brickwork, disputes with the main contractor, and that firm going into administration. Safety checks dragged on into 2025, pushing things 19 months past the original March 2023 target. Local leaders and neighbors welcomed the news, relieved to see families settling into homes after such a wait. Islington Council stressed the push for safe, affordable living spaces with modern kitchens and energy saving features. The site also houses a new primary school already open, plus ground floor shops all funded by the city of London Corporation with help from Islington and other grants. It fits into a 300 million pound push for housing upgrades across the capital.

1:00Meanwhile, regulators recently flagged issues with the corporation's housing management, giving it a C3 rating that calls for big improvements. Officials say they're moving fast to fix things and house more people.