MAYOR Boris Johnson today named London's first special-status housing zones across nine boroughs – including the Southall gasworks site in Ealing.

The zones aim to transform key areas of the capital, with £260m of investment to provide 28,000 new homes across the capital.

The first zones will unlock the redevelopment of a huge swathe of brownfield land, the equivalent of 2,656 football pitches.

The special status is for areas identified by London boroughs as key opportunity sites.

Mr Johnson, said: “As London's population continues to boom, already at its highest since records began and with more growth predicted, housing is a huge challenge.

“We need to double house building and provide a million more homes by 2025.”

Southall will benefit hugely from being on the new Crossrail route. The new housing zone will provide 4,345 new homes, 1,785 of which will be affordable.

The zone will also improve the station arrival point for Crossrail and allow for infrastructure to help connect sites across the town.

Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Southall is being transformed through unprecedented investment, which will secure its future as one of the premier towns in west London to live, work and visit.

“Getting housing zone status will further stimulate development and ensure thousands of much-needed good quality homes can be built for local people.

“This will also help to boost the local economy through the creation of jobs during and after construction of these homes and the infrastructure required to support them.

“Major transport improvements like Crossrail and the planned western road being built as part of the gas works development will help ease congestion and better connect Southall with central London, Heathrow and beyond.”