A housing project has won nearly £250,000 to try and create more respect between young and older people at its new development on a dilapidated estate.

Home Group, which is rebuilding the Rayners Lane estate in South Harrow into nearly 800 new homes by 2014, won £241,900 from the Big Lottery Fund to try and create a sense of community at the new homes.

Through its In The Mix initiative, run jointly with Harrow Council and charity Ignite Trust, it will bring together people of different generations in community projects to try and reduce fear of crime and improve relations.

Regeneration manager Jim Shutt said he was “delighted” to get the grant for the estate, which before its regeneration had longstanding problems with graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

He added: “One of the things residents have mentioned to us is that they feel older and younger people would gain greater understanding and respect for each other if there were community initiatives they could work on together.

“We’re making real progress in transforming Rayners Lane and this funding will help us to make a long-term, sustainable improvement to the quality of life of the neighbourhood.”

The long-running regeneration, which had a £140million cash injection from the sale of houses and Government funding, initially faced opposition from locals when it was announced in 2005 but has won support since work began and has picked up awards for its architecture and community centre.

The new homes, which replaced rundown 1960s housing blocks, have solar panels for hot water, wastewater recycling, and green roofs to help reduce water retention.

By 2014, Home Group will have built 450 properties for rent and more than 300 properties for sale and once complete it will also provide new shops and open spaces.