The project forms part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Better Neighbourhoods Framework, which aims to make a lasting difference for both residents and the wider Bethnal Green community.
Works included repairs to concrete and brickwork, replacement windows and front entrance doors. Roofing works, including replacement and compartmentation were also completed, as well as walkway asphalt works and external decoration.
Mears planned each stage of the project so that all works could be carried out without residents needing to be decanted, making communication and resident support a central pillar for the project.
Initiatives to support tenants have included a dedicated Resident Liaison Officer, regular resident newsletters, and coffee mornings. Mears also improved communal gardens, working with residents on the installation of new planters.
To support the wider local community, Mears made upgrades to the local Spitalfields Farm, donated to local foodbanks and held summer fun days, which also promoted careers in construction and prioritised local employment.
This dedication to community engagement helped Mears to earn an ‘excellent’ score from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, with their commitment to environmental care and workforce wellbeing also being recognised.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: “The investment in the Bancroft Estate demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the quality and safety of our homes.
“This project, delivered through the council’s housing investment programme, is a strong example of how improvements are shaped by residents’ priorities and reflect what matters most to them in their homes and neighbourhoods.”
Mark Fenton-Smith at Mears Group, said: “A renewed focus on planned investment and preventative maintenance is helping to improve the quality of homes and strengthen our communities.
“By tackling issues earlier, we’re reducing disruption for residents and supporting warmer, safer and more energy‑efficient homes. Planning work in advance also means we can communicate more clearly with residents and cut down on emergency repairs.
Over time, this investment‑led approach is helping to create more sustainable homes, more resilient neighbourhoods and a better everyday experience for the people who live in them.
“Upgrading homes is one of the most beneficial ways to bring energy bills down and we were pleased to see this recognised in the government's recently announced Warm Homes Plan, which pledges £15 billion of public investment to help lift families out of fuel poverty.”
The environmental achievements on this site were strong. As a result of this project, Mears estimate a reduction of 280 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; the equivalent of the emissions from driving a typical petrol car for about 800 miles or doing approximately 133 laundry loads.
Since September 2023, Mears have saved more than 55 tonnes of UPVC waste from going to landfill. They partner with Reconomy to operate a closed-loop process and recycle responsibly.
