An “ambitious” project to build new housing is halfway to completion – ten years after it first began.

The Stonegrove and Spur Road Estates, which are 60 years old, are being replaced with a series of new flats and houses.

Leader of Barnet Borough Council, Richard Cornelius, visited the site to see the progress first hand.

He said: “It has been more than ten years now since we began discussing an ambitious plan with local residents to replace their existing sub-standard housing with new high quality homes and community facilities.

“I am delighted the plan has come to fruition and today we can see the progress we have made. I hope these fantastic new homes will be enjoyed by many generations of families for years to come.”

Barratt Homes have been commissioned by Barnet Council to rebuild the block, which will be a mix of affordable housing, social housing and private homes.

Work is expected to be completed by 2018 and will include 937 new homes, 389 of which will be affordable and 548 will be for sale.

So far, 450 homes have been build under the project and more than a third of people moving into the builds are existing Barnet residents.

Community leaders were also given a tour of the site, including the Reverend Simon Rea, the vicar of St Peter’s Church, which will be replaced as part of the regeneration programme.

As well as serving the St Peter’s congregation, the new centre will serve the broader community including a nursery and youth centre as well as providing employment and training opportunities.

Rev Rea said: “I’ve been really blessed to see how the church and community are working together to enhance the quality of life in the local area with the long term commitment of the Diocese of London.

“We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to build quite literally on the engagement of local people, especially the community group and make this an area people really want to live in.

“The new joint community centre and church will be a real heart for the community, drawing together young and old and providing a great place for cross-generational and multi-cultural encounter and enjoyment.”

Building works for the new church and community centre will begin in January 2015, with the launch of the new centre in Spring 2016.

In the last year, two high rose tower blocks have been bulldozed and replaced with modern apartments and houses.

However, those living close to the site have criticized the plans for being “ugly” and “box like”, claiming they will drastically change the appearance of the area.