Donna C Henry helped draw up plans to transform the area she lives in, after it transferred to housing association control.

“The masterplan is very resident-led,” says Donna, who has lived in Clapham Park for 30 years. “The architects listened closely to the changes we wanted.”

Work is now beginning on almost 2,000 homes. The Housing Corporation has contributed some £20 million towards the cost of refurbishing half, demolishing the rest and building 1,500 new homes in their place.

Clapham Park Homes took over the area from south London’s Lambeth Council in April. The association is part of Metropolitan Housing Trust, which has a long track record in regeneration and housing management.

The aim is to create a thriving mixed community. “It will attract people wanting to have businesses, rent or buy,” says Donna with conviction. “People will want to live here.”

She has a clear idea of how the work at Clapham Park is going to turn out. “It will be so different from what my eyes are used to,” she says. “It will be over and above excellent!”