The new zones in the boroughs of Havering, Enfield, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets are hoped to deliver over 12,000 new homes, nearly 3,500 of which will be ‘affordable’ housing.
This will bring the number of Housing Zones announced to 15 with a total pipeline of 45,109 homes, 14,055 of them affordable.
A £162m in funding go to the Housing Zones, which enjoy a collaborative effort between the Greater London Authority, the government and local boroughs to streamline approval processes and fast-track development.
Included in the new Housing Zones will be two brand new rail stations, a large new park, new primary schools, and new retail and entertainment precincts.
New Zones
Rainham and Beam Park Housing Zone in Havering is one of the biggest development sites at 12 square kilometres, and will include the new Beam Park rail station. The council plans on creating a new “garden suburb” from former industrial land with 3,457 new homes, 941 of them affordable.
Meridian Water Housing Zone in Enfield will build 3,650 new homes in a new riverside canal district. 1,460 homes will be affordable. The Housing Zone will contribute to the development of Meridian Water station (currently Angel Road station). In early June a procurement process was launched to secure a master-developer for the project.
Ilford Town Centre Housing Zone in the borough of Redbridge will capitalise on the arrival of Crossrail to the area by building 2,189 new homes, 553 of which will be affordable. Up to 4,000 construction jobs are estimated to be created during the build process and 150 apprenticeships.
Poplar Riverside Housing Zone in Tower Hamlets will initially provide 3,034 new homes and 448 affordable homes over its two phases with capacity to almost double this number. Located within the London Plan Lower Lea Valley Opportunity Area, the Housing Zone will deliver two new primary schools, a local park and four new footbridges over the River Lea. Work has already started with the regeneration of the Aberfeldy Estate.
