Vision for Blackwall Reach transformation unveiled

A bold new vision for a Poplar estate in need of regeneration is at the heart of an outline planning application that has been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council.

The outline planning application promotes the ambitious transformation proposed for the Blackwall Reach area, which includes Robin Hood Gardens, Woolmore Street, Mackrow Walk and Anderson House. It has been developed in consultation with the local community by the council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in partnership with Swan Housing Association / Countryside Properties.

The key aims of this major regeneration project include:

• More Homes: up to 1,700 new, high quality homes including approximately 700 for social rent and shared ownership. This means a significant increase in the provision of affordable, family-sized homes on the existing estate;
• New replacement homes for council tenants and home owners living in the Robin Hood Gardens area;
• A transformed public realm including improved community facilities, open space, new shops, a relocated mosque and funding for an expanded local school;
• Improved transport connections including measures to overcome the area’s isolation at the mouth of the Blackwall Tunnel; and
• Community benefits including employment and training initiatives for local residents and, in addition, a phased £1 million endowment that will be made available to a trust to be set up by the council.

In February 2011 the council and the HCA selected Swan / Countryside as their development partner for Blackwall Reach and Horden Cherry Lee Architects have been working on the outline planning application on behalf of the council and the HCA.

The outline application is aimed at communicating the aspirations for Blackwall Reach and setting a benchmark for design quality. The highest sustainability and construction principles will be incorporated as the project moves into the detailed design stage. This outline plan will be followed up shortly by a detailed application for phase one of the scheme.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman, Tower Hamlets Council, said:

"The Blackwall Reach project is truly exciting. It will enable us to deliver a net gain of affordable homes, including many family homes, to meet the growing need in the borough. This project continues to place Tower Hamlets at the forefront of social housing: from the first social housing estate in England, the Boundary Estate, to a high level of Decent Homes investment, we continue to buck the national trend in providing affordable, high standard homes to our residents."

Jackie Jacob, HCA London Director, said:

"We believe that the outline application represents an excellent opportunity to improve the quality of life for local people in the Blackwall Reach area. The proposal corresponds with our commitment to supporting the highest quality design and putting residents’ needs at the forefront of delivering new homes."

Mohammed Yousuf, Chair of the Tenants and Residents Association, said:

"It’s good news for the local community that the outline application has been submitted. The proposal gives tenants a right to remain in the area once the redevelopment work has finished, but they also have the choice to live elsewhere in the borough if they prefer. In addition to much better homes, the project offers the prospect of improved community facilities for those who choose to stay in Blackwall Reach."

Ongoing consultation with the community has ensured that residents have been able to get involved and influence the regeneration proposals for their neighbourhood. Local people have attended open days and public meetings, in addition to regular meetings held with residents of Robin Hood Gardens to discuss the plans for the area.

Ends

Click here to view the outline planning application

Download an artist’s impression of Blackwall Reach

For information on Tower Hamlets Council contact Lara Cerroni, Acting Head of Media on 020 7364 0519 / lara.Cerroni@towerhamlets.gov.uk

For information on the HCA contact Judith Hewitt, London Communications Manager, 0207 633 3484 / judith.hewitt@hca.gsx.gov.uk

Notes to editors

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England.  Our vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas.