Invest Waltham Forest #3

3

Invest

Waltham Forest Encouraging investment in Waltham Forest

Sporting chance: investing in residents’ health and fitness

Meanwhile use: making space for creatives

ISSUE 3

Lea Bridge station: the new catalyst for growth

Clarion Housing Group is the largest housing association in the country with 125,000 homes, we are also one of the country’s leading housebuilders.

The result of a merger between Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing Group, Clarion Housing Group will build 50,000 new homes over the next ten years, working with both the public and private sector to maximise the supply of desperately needed new homes. We will also deliver our £150m sector leading social investment programme.

We have a strong track record in the borough and below is a snapshot of some of our most recent schemes.

Recent schemes in Waltham Forest

Windmill Court, Chingford This award winning extra care scheme, developed in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, provides a mix of 44 one and two bedroom apartments that bring together both design and services for older residents.

Beaconsfield Road, Walthamstow A £3.8 million development to provide 30 homes for affordable rent or shared ownership. The scheme, which replaces the former Francis House care home, has a mix of smaller apartments and two storey family homes.

Headway Gardens, Walthamstow Families celebrated the first anniversary of their new self-build community, which was completed on a former derelict garage site.

The scheme was funded through our own reserves plus additional funding from the Greater London Authority.

Banbury Park, Walthamstow Banbury Park is a 350-home scheme which replaces disused warehouses, industrial works and an electronics factory on Billet Road. To date, over 160 residents have moved into shared ownership and affordable rent homes at the new development.

We have extensive experience of developing new homes, delivering major regeneration projects and adopting innovative approaches to secure successful delivery.

If you would like to talk to us about new opportunities please contact: Kerry O’Driscoll Director of Major Projects and Partnerships kerry.odriscoll@latimerhomes.com Or Philip Browne Director of Development philip.browne@latimerhomes.com

Building homes. Developing futures.

Editorial director Siobhán Crozier Editor Lucy Purdy Assistant editor James Wood News and digital editor Marco Cillario Production manager Chris Hazeldine Art direction Smallfury Designs Business development director Paul Gussar Office and projects manager Sue Mapara Subscriptions manager Simon Maxwell Managing director Toby Fox Cover Image South Grove plans by Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects Images: David Tothill, Paula Beetlestone, Waltham Forest Council, Adrienne Photography, Allies and Morrison, Hennie Haworth, Shani Beadle, Hatch aka Dave Smith, © Mike Massaro, Solum, Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects, Tim Crocker, Metropolitan & Suburban, Jimmy Lee, Penny Dixie

Contents 10

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36

6 News

36 Sport

Updates on regeneration, business and economic development.

Investment of £26 million in the Feel Good Centre, one of London’s biggest leisure facilities, supports Waltham Forest Council’s ambition to help reverse obesity and preventable illness in residents.

Sunley House Bedford Park Croydon CR0 2AP 020 7978 6840 3foxinternational.com Waltham Forest Council Waltham Forest Town Hall 701 Forest Road, E17 4JF Subscriptions and feedback investwalthamforest.com © 3Fox International Limited 2017. All material is ­strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written p ­ ermission of 3Fox International Limited is strictly ­forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no ­responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this ­magazine are not ­necessarily those of 3Fox International Limited.

10 Artists The legacy of William Morris prospers in Waltham Forest, where successful designers are working in textiles, print and tackling one-off commissions in a variety of media.

17 Breweries While the taste for craft beers drives enterprises to spring up, the supply of industrial space draws brewers to the borough.

21 Meanwhile use

41 Green Space Waltham Forest’s natural capital enhances residents’ quality of life – and has economic benefits too.

47 Housing Enfield will soon join the London Overground map, and with Crossrail 2 on the horizon, transport is improving.

A council customer service building awaits redevelopment, but offers affordable and flexible workspace for emerging creative makers and entrepreneurs.

53 Lea Bridge

27 Projects

58 Sitematch

A summary of major regeneration projects – planned and under way.

Opportunities for development on sites in Waltham Forest.

The reopened station brings great potential for regeneration projects in the surrounding area.

Contents

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WALTHAM FOREST

News Olympic legacy

Clare to lead council

6 investwalthamforest.com

Waltham Forest Council is to be led by a woman for the first time in its history, after the ruling Labour group elected Councillor Clare Coghill as its new leader.

Coghill will be confirmed in the top position when leader Chris Robbins stands down at the council’s annual meeting in May. Currently portfolio lead member for economic growth and high streets, Coghill said she relished the chance to “serve our borough and build a community that is open, tolerant and fair”.

“The council I lead will prioritise smashing down barriers for

our young people, supporting vulnerable residents and building good quality social housing,” Coghill stated.

“We must unite to tackle the problems of hate crime, intolerance and ignorance that mean even in 2017, people attack one another for being different – whether that’s gender, sexuality, race or faith.

“Over the past six years, under drastic financial constraints, Waltham Forest has made tremendous progress. As leader I will look to maintain this progress and drive the improvement to services that residents expect.”

Jobs – and 12,000 homes An economic growth strategy for 2016-2020 has been launched by Waltham Forest Council.

The cabinet has agreed on a document setting out the council’s vision for economic development in the borough, coupled with a five-year plan to achieve it. Five key themes have been identified: business, town centres, housing growth, employment and skills, and infrastructure.

The plan aims to protect and

support existing businesses, as well as securing workspaces as part of new developments.

It seeks to support investment to create ‘distinctive and diversified’ town centres, to encourage people to spend more time in the borough and increase local expenditure.

The strategy includes building 12,000 new homes in a range of tenures by 2020, seeking to achieve 50% affordable housing.

Research has shown the London Borough of Waltham Forest is becoming a more attractive place to live, while the council is committed to further increase the supply of homes in the borough.

A comparison carried out by crowdfunding platform Property Partner found that all six London 2012 Olympic host boroughs outperformed most other areas in the capital in terms of house price growth since the Games took place.

Analysis, based on the UK House Price Index, reported a 64% average growth in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest – 11.2% over the London average of 52.8% But Waltham Forest had the strongest rise of all: the average cost of a house in the east London borough went up from £236,796 in 2012 to £418,146 today – a 76% increase.

£2 million+ for creative workspace Waltham Forest Council is setting up a workspace for digital, media and creative companies, backed by £1.1 million from the London Regeneration Fund. With the council match-funding the grant, taking the total to £2.2 million, at least three workspaces will be created in the borough for 65 businesses by March 2019. Council-owned sites on Lockwood Way in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, have been earmarked.

Workspace will be modern and flexible supporting more

than 130 businesses and creating opportunities for 30 new jobs and apprenticeships.

Council leader Chris Robbins said: “We want to provide creative businesses with the facilities they need to develop and thrive here.

“Our new workspace initiative will initially support around 150 startups, but will then go on to develop further new workspaces for creative, media and tech businesses, cementing Waltham Forest’s status as the creative choice for London.”

cafe), flood lighting, car parking and public realm improvements.

The nearby Score Centre is also earmarked for redevelopment, with plans to improve existing sports facilities and bring some of the site into residential use.

Councillor Clare Coghill, cabinet member for economic growth and high streets, said: “The redevelopment of Ive Farm will form an important part of our wider regeneration plans for the Leyton and Lea Bridge area, which include the development of more homes and first-class facilities for new and existing residents.”

investwalthamforest.com

The redevelopment of Ive Farm will see new outdoor sporting facilities created in Leyton.

Enabling work started at the end of January, due to be followed by clearance work in February, including demolishing a pavilion in preparation to build a new one.

The project, which was granted planning permission by Waltham Forest Council, will feature two full-size 3G and 4G outdoor sport pitches, a 60m sprint track and a four-court beach volleyball arena, informal seating, a new pavilion (including changing rooms, a multipurpose room, reception, office and

A £95 million scheme could bring 300 new homes and 510sq m of commercial space to Walthamstow.

Developer U+I has exchanged contracts with landowner Parkdale Investments for a mixed-use project on the 1.21-ha Forest Works site on Blackhorse Road.

The site is part of the council’s Blackhorse Lane Area Action Plan and is located within the Blackhorse Lane and Northern Olympic Park housing zone, one of the areas receiving funding from the Greater London Authority to speed up residential development.

The area is to receive £41,985,000 towards 2,477 new properties.

Councillor Clare Coghill, council leader-elect, describes Blackhorse Lane as having “the greatest potential for improvement of any part of the borough”.

As well as £200 million of private investment, it is receiving support from the mayor’s Outer London Fund towards improvements to its high street and public amenity spaces.

Blackhorse Road Station is also receiving £2.2 million from Transport for London to improve the station and surrounding area.

Simon Hesketh, director of regeneration at U+I, said the company aimed to create “longterm social and economic change”: “We look forward to working with Waltham Forest Council and the local community to progress our redevelopment plans for the site.”

The company said it would work with the council and consult the local community to develop plans, which are expected to be submitted in early 2017.

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Sporting boost for Leyton

Multimillion investment for housing

Visitor numbers rise sharply More people are visiting Waltham Forest, according to recent research.

Hospitality platform Airbnb has revealed it has recorded a 250% rise in bookings in the borough since 2013.

The borough is most popular with Airbnb guests from Britain, France, America, Germany and Italy.

Over three quarters (76%) of guests travel to the borough from Europe and 11% come from the USA.

Following the increase, a new culture map has been launched to introduce tourists to Waltham Forest’s interesting features – those not included in a guide book.

Created by Airbnb in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, the map locates local destinations such as shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries, bars, exhibitions and markets.

James McClure, general manager

for Airbnb, said: “The popularity of Waltham Forest is growing fast and we are excited to see local residents share their expert tips with guests on what makes the borough great.

“More locals are opening their homes to guests on Airbnb than ever before and showcasing how to live like a local in Waltham Forest and enjoy the local gems these visitors might otherwise have missed.”

8 investwalthamforest.com

South Grove plans approved

Lea Valley Eastside Vision Consultation on the vision for the Lea Bridge and Leyton areas has revealed plans for 4,350 homes.

Waltham Forest Council has set out a 10-year vision for the southwest of the borough, to be branded Lea Valley Eastside.

Housing and growth are priorities for a development area roughly the size of the City of London.

As well as new homes, 300,000sq m of “retained, improved and modernised” employment and commercial space across Lea Bridge, Church Road and Leyton will be created.

The council is seeking to work

with developers specifically interested in modernising and creating commercial space.

The Lea Valley Eastside vision will also provide advice to existing businesses, landowners, developers and investors in the area.

Martin Esom, chief executive of Waltham Forest Council, says: “All our plans are underpinned by the objective of creating thriving communities through the delivery of quality new homes, jobs and supporting social and physical infrastructure. Our 10-year vision is bursting with opportunity, on sites in easy reach of central London.”

More than 650 new homes will be built at South Grove after planning consent was agreed by Waltham Forest Council.

In April 2016, permission was granted to plans lodged by Metropolitan & Suburban to create 183 homes and 478sq m of commercial space in a five to seven-storey stepped building and a four to eight-storey, U-shaped structure. Crest Nicholson bought the site from Metropolitan & Suburban in January 2017.

Hadley Property Group gained consent for a mixed-use scheme including 473 properties and 154sq m of commercial space, along with an energy centre.

Both developments will be on Brunner Road, close to St James Street station.

Hadley Property Group’s development will also provide the area with green space and new pedestrian and cycle routes.

Enhancing communities with thoughtfully designed new homes and public spaces.

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Barratt London is the market-leading residential developer in the Capital. With over 30 years’ experience we’ve helped - literally - shape one of the world’s most exciting, diverse and dynamic cities.

Working in partnership with the London Borough of Waltham Forest, we are committed to delivering much-needed new homes and public realm to help develop a better Waltham Forest.

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Computer generated images are for illustrative purposes only

A design for life After painstaking restoration of the award-winning William Morris Gallery, its namesake’s legacy of craft and industry is living on. Lucy Purdy and Sarah Herbert find local artists and artisans thriving, supplying worldwide clients from Topman to Louis Vuitton

Last summer, residents of the William

Morris ward in Waltham Forest were asked to choose a mural for one of the borough’s most famous sons. Art collective Wood Street Walls and William Morris Big Local asked people to select one of six patterns to be the backdrop for a portrait of the famous Victorian Arts and Crafts designer. The mural, next to the

William Morris Gallery, in Bedford Road, Walthamstow – featuring the winning ‘willow bough’ design – was then painted by local artists ATMA and Hatch.

William Morris – designer, craftsman and socialist – knew that style could be commercialised, that mass production could be beautiful, and

that everyone deserves beauty in their lives. His legacy is continued today through the work of talented local artists and designers.

“Waltham Forest is home to a thriving community of craftspeople, artists and designers, from letterpress printers and ceramicists to animators and costume makers,” says council leader Chris Robbins.

“What’s exciting is how they combine a respect for centuries-old craft traditions with innovative new ways of promoting themselves, generating business and sharing their skills with the wider public – something Morris would have approved of. We want Waltham Forest to be known as the outer London borough for arts and culture.”

Artists

Master pattern-maker Morris would have approved of Walthamstowbased artist and illustrator Dave

With clients including Topman, House of Holland, north London craft beer company Honest Brew, House of Vans and the London Graphic Centre, Smith is in demand.

He has called Walthamstow home for almost four years and operates out of

Opposite: Hennie Haworth’s gardens at the William Morris Gallery.

Top and below: Shani Beadle’s Étoile Home range of soft furnishings.

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Morris’s legacy lives on through his eponymous gallery’s partnership with the creative sector. It runs workshops led by artists who live or work in Waltham Forest, and regularly collaborates with local arts organisations on special events, such as family days or WMG Lates, and local arts projects and events, such as Stowfest and the E17 Art Trail [returning on 3-18 June, 2017].

Smith – moniker Hatch. Smith’s work mixes bold lines with highly detailed patterns and tone to create graphic, eye-catching compositions. “My work features a variety of characters and iconography dug up from my imagination and discovered in my surroundings. And dots. Lots of dots,” he says.

Left: Distinctive designs by Hatch, aka Dave Smith, who is based in Walthamstow.

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a studio on Boundary Road, sharing the space with a set builder, a maker of bespoke furniture, and a journalist.

“Living in Walthamstow has been great,” says Smith. “Through the E17 Art trail, I have been able to expose whole new groups of people to my work and meet other creatives. Being part of the art group Wood Street Walls has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have found elsewhere.”

“Waltham Forest offers a great opportunity to have the designer

and maker community to forge its own identity, building on the cultural heritage of William Morris,” says Mark Clack, founder of community art collective Wood Street Walls.

“The borough needs the right kind of social investment to nurture this huge creative talent pool, build our local economy and protect hidden gems.”

Morris might also have loved the work of Mark McClure. Combining fine art and visual design with functionality, McClure’s bespoke surfaces, murals and interiors

sing with hand-crafted geometric style, being snapped up by design connoisseurs today.

While the printing of the fabrics is outsourced to factories – “I tried screen printing at home, but realised I needed a house three times the size and arms twice as long” – her business is run from the house Beadle and her husband moved into six years ago.

“We originally moved to east London 13 years ago, when we couldn’t afford to buy where we lived in Kensal Green,” she explains. “We took a punt

This local colour and character is the inspiration for another local artist and illustrator, Hennie Haworth, whose recent solo exhibition, Out and About, entirely comprised Walthamstow shop fronts. “I was keen to do a series of drawings of Walthamstow buildings, as they have a lot of character and aren’t perfect – they seem friendly with a lot of texture and colour to them,” Haworth says. “I settled on the market as a

Artists

Among this thriving creative talent is Shani Beadle, a Walthamstowdwelling Canadian émigré who set up her fabric design business Étoile 10 years ago, and whose designs can be found gracing anything from tablecloths to iPhone covers. She has collaborated with retailers such as Uniqlo and Anthropologie. Beadle is working with Dash, Ocado and Prezola; and next year will supply bespoke lampshades to homeware retailer Heal’s.

They moved up the road from Leyton six years ago, before its resurgence, to Walthamstow. “We’re so lucky to have a house somewhere we want to be.

There are so many interesting people, and so many great places to go, from the local pubs to Gods Own Junkyard or Central Parade, not to mention the festivals, events and scores of networking groups for small business owners, designers and women, which have been such an amazing source of both work and inspiration for me.

The area’s changing all the time. We go on holiday, come back, and another cafe or art space has opened.”

Left: Hennie Haworth captures the vibrant street life of her home environment around Waltham Forest.

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A Walthamstow resident of six years, McClure sums up the appeal: “I’m a fan of both the area itself and the atmosphere of community and local pride that goes with it.”

on Stratford winning the Olympic bid, and bought a house in Leyton. At the time there was only one place that served good coffee, and cab drivers would scoff at our theory that it would regenerate, but look at it now!

Above: Hennie Haworth’s colourful street scene with L Manze’s Grade ll-listed pie and mash shop in Walthamstow.

starting point as there was just so much down there to draw – plenty of colour, loads of typography, lovely fabrics with sequins or bold chunky prints, old twirly signs, fruit and veg boxes, and interesting architecture above the shops!

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“Colour, patterns and details are the things that inspire me, and what I look for when I’m starting something.

The rest of the drawing sort of forms around them.”

Artists

The local pictures were in fact created when Haworth was having a break from her burgeoning illustration career, which has seen her draw anything from owls for the Canal and River Trust to entire streets of Left: The Sri Katpaga Vinayagar Temple in Forest Road, E17.

buildings for a Swedish housing development. “I always seem to be working for other people, which I love, but can take away some of the spontaneity. So when I had a break I chose to draw the Walthamstow High Street, using lots of tips from working with clients and mixing it in with how I love to draw. I really enjoyed it!”

Haworth trained at Brighton University, and was an illustrator and artist long before she moved to the Lloyd Park area of Walthamstow, right next to the William Morris gallery, five years ago. She works both nationally and internationally, and for a dizzying range of clients. As well as illustrating UK publications such as the Telegraph and Guardian (until recently she illustrated their weekly food section Cook), or magazines such as Dwell, she has worked for advertising agencies and magazines in America, and book publishers in Sweden, South Africa and Spain.

Away from publishing, clients include the Royal Mail and Morrisons, and even upscale designer Louis Vuitton.

Haworth has worked for Converse in Japan, designed shopping bags for a Korean mall, and even created a logo for an American Oyster farm.

And next? “Walthamstow Marshes – one of my favourite places, and somewhere I have yet to draw. So lovely, yet only walking distance from my house. I’m very lucky.”

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17 Craft breweries

Right: Weighing the hops at East London Brewing Company, which is based at Fairways Business Park in Lammas Road.

Something brewing With swathes of industrial space and an enterprising workforce, Waltham Forest holds the perfect recipe for entrepreneurial microbreweries, as James Wood reports

B

eer drinkers in UK pubs could once be separated by their preference for either lager or ale. Few were concerned about where or how it was brewed.

But these traditions are changing: and Waltham Forest is leading the way.

Research reveals the emergence of craft ale businesses is now considered a sure-fire indication that a neighbourhood is on the up.

Walthamstow topped a list compiled by online estate agency easyProperty as the place where average asking prices for homes have increased fastest. The company ranked all the places in London where boutique breweries have recently sprung up.

Next on the list? Leyton. “Beer brings people together and also creates a real sense of community and excitement in an area,� says Roger

Protz, editor of the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide.

Waltham Forest has enough large industrial space to sustain several successful enterprises. The Ravenswood estate in Walthamstow has become popular, thanks in large part to the Wild Card Brewery.

William Harris and Andrew Birkby established the business four years ago and now run a bar there at weekends.

Getting started was tough and they initially dabbled in ‘cuckoo brewing’ – paying another brewery to produce beer on their site – operating from the cellar of The Warrant Officer pub in Walthamstow.

Right: Tom Bott of Signature Brew checks the clarity of his ale.

In February 2014, Wild Card moved to its current site – discovered by head brewer, Jaega Wise. With ventures including gin liqueur and fruit juice producer Mother’s Ruin also at Ravenswood, the estate has gradually become one of Walthamstow’s thriving weekend hangout spots.

“People kept turning up at the weekend to buy beer to take away, but pretty soon it became clear they really wanted to stay. It began with people drinking bottles, then we had a few kegs, and it has grown from there.

Without local people seeking us out, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

Wild Card attracted world-famous

18 Craft breweries

acts to play there; the likes of Sonic Youth singer Thurston Moore, free jazz improviser Evan Parker, dub producer Mad Professor and a DJ set

by Felix Martin from Hot Chip.

Wild Card has also launched what they believe to be the first lager ever brewed in Walthamstow, shipping to one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, and exporting – a recent shipment request came in from China.

community is alive and well among brewers. “If one has the hops the other needs, each is willing to help out,” says Bott.

Consistency helps drive both Signature and ELB. The latter is a family-run business, started by couple Stuart Lascelles and Claire Ashbridge-Thomlinson, who have three young children. In 2010, Lascelles made the decision to quit

+ If one has the hops the other needs, each is willing to help out + Music is also an integral part of another nearby brewery business.

Leyton’s Signature Brew started with three friends pledging to do something about the insipid, overpriced beer they were forced to drink at gigs.

To keep up with demand, Signature Brew is due to take another unit nearby. The expansion will help Signature supply gig venues, festivals and bars in London, Manchester and Birmingham and to ship to America and Sweden.

But Signature is also invested in its locality. Its beers are not only available at Leyton Orient Football Club and the buzzing Leyton Food Market, on Saturdays, but Bott and McGregor cooperate closely with other breweries nearby, such as Wild Card and the East London Brewing (ELB) company. A strong sense of

“I did everything to start with,” says Lascelles, “from brewing to washing the casks. We are now bottling and employ five people and an apprentice and sell to wholesalers and shops.

We’re now in Marks & Spencer.”

They are also exporting to Denmark, Sweden and Guernsey.

With such a number of success stories, how important is the supply of space in Waltham Forest?

Ashbridge-Thomlinson says: “Affordable, suitable space in London is like gold dust. We really want to stay here: the transport links are excellent, it offers easy access to London, as well as the space we need.”

The success of Waltham Forest’s microbreweries is down to attention to detail and a fizzing passion for the product. The borough’s reputation for great brews shows no sign of going flat.

Craft breweries

Professor Green, Frank Turner and Enter Shikari all took part and Signature now turns bands away.

Having found its premises on Lammas Road, Leyton, the couple decided their company needed to be operational within six months.

Exactly half a year later ELB was up and running.

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Cousins Tom Bott and Sam McGregor, who have run the brewery since 2011, moved to the Leyton Business Centre in 2013. Bott says: “The first dozen beers were collaborations. Bands and musicians would come and taste our range.

We’d find out what their hop preferences were and spend the day brewing together.”

his position as an industrial chemist.

The jump was particularly scary, he explains, as Ashbridge-Thomlinson was expecting their second child.

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Ideally located for quick and convenient travel into Central London and the City with journey times of less than 20 minutes*.

Positioned just a 5 minute walk into Walthamstow Town Centre and 15 minute walk* to Walthamstow Village, the development is attractive to first time buyers and investors alike and most homes will be available through Help to Buy London**.

Comprising 183 residential units in total, 158 private tenure apartments and 25 shared ownership units. We have started onsite and will start selling Autumn 2017 with completions projected in late 2018/early 2019.

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*Travel times taken from National Rail and Google Maps. **Terms and conditions apply. Please speak to a Sales Advisor for further details on Help to Buy London. Digital illustration is indicative only.

A

baker, a florist and a video film-maker are three of the new businesses bringing life to a previously overlooked corner of east London. ‘Baking king’ Alex Bettler started his career batch-baking bread in his tiny flat in Clapton, Hackney, three years ago.

He walked away from a lucrative graphic design business and set up a bread delivery service instead. When the opportunity for a short-term lease with Meanwhile Space, a Community Interest Company, came up at Central Parade in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, Bettler leapt at the opportunity.

“My interest has always been in the social aspect of having a cafe rather than in making money,” he says.

“The Latin root for the word ‘companion’ comes from ‘cum panis’, meaning ‘with bread’. The very word for friendship comes from the people you eat bread with.”

Bettler is one of a crew of more than 30 businesses and creatives to have moved into Central Parade while Waltham Forest Council, which owns the building, considers development opportunities for the site – a former council customer service centre.

In 2015, the council landed a grant of £670,000 from the Greater London Authorities’ High Street Fund, providing an overall budget of £1.3 million to deliver a suite of projects to enhance Walthamstow’s evening and creative economies.

Meanwhile use

Nimble thinking is helping make the most from sites that are between uses before redevelopment. A new creative and cultural project in Waltham Forest is paying dividends already, finds Ruth McKee

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No time to waste

Above: Today Bread runs its sourdough bakery and cafe at Central Parade, establishing a popular new venue on Hoe Street.

22 Meanwhile use

Above: Blomst Florist offers flowers on weekly subscription as well as in bouquets and posies.

The funding meant that the council could undertake refurbishments in the building and appoint social enterprise Meanwhile Space CIC to operate the hub. The organisation recruits creative tenants and manages uses of this previously underused building. It will be offered in this way for two years, while its long term future is decided.

Mayor Sadiq Khan, who visited Central Parade in November 2016, said: “Coming to Waltham Forest has reminded me not only of the entrepreneurship in this borough, but the values it stands for: a place that is open and inviting. There’s a real buzz about this place. This is an exciting council doing dynamic things.”

Applicants wanting to use the space are assessed as to their local links and potential contributions to the project and area. Successful creative tenants then negotiate relatively low rents and short term leases. In a bid to help the many local creative businesses and upand-coming entrepreneurs, the local authority has leased the building to Meanwhile Space at peppercorn rent.

More than 130 creative businesses are set to benefit from Waltham Forest Council’s workspace initiative, announced during the mayor’s positive visit. Backed by a £1.1 million grant from the London Regeneration Fund, the scheme is designed to appeal to the digital, media and creative firms and entrepreneurs moving to Waltham Forest, drawn by good transport links and a vibrant community.

Waltham Forest is already a hotbed of creative startups, and is attracting more, as artists and creatives find themselves priced out of the likes of Hackney and Shoreditch.

The GLA has been a strong advocate for developing creative enterprise zones to enhance the evening and creative economies. London

The council is match-funding the grant with £1.1 million investment from a variety of sources to develop at least three new workspaces for 65 businesses by March 2019, including council-owned sites in Walthamstow. As well as offering modern, flexible workspace

to support more than 130 businesses, the scheme will also create 30 new jobs and apprenticeships.

Lucy Shomali, director of regeneration and growth at the council says: “Waltham Forest is increasingly seen as a centre for creative entrepreneurs, cultural organisations and artists to implement and grow their practice, due to its location, affordability and amenities.

“Central Parade offers the affordability, flexibility and support for these businesses to grow, while supplying a great cultural asset for the community. The space is unlike anything else in the borough.”

The appeal of the space means it does not compete with any other retail outlets, helping to boost other enterprises in the area and contribute to a vibrant evening economy.

One such occupier is Orlando Capitanio, producer and director who owns Funny Peculiar, a production company making marketing and training videos. Recent projects have included working with Across The Pond to create a promotional video for Google Marketing based on the launch of The Suffragette.

Like 90% of Central Parade tenants, Capitanio lives in the borough. “I attended one of their open days in March 2016 and was immediately interested in the development as it is a five-minute walk from my home and a short tube journey into Oxford Circus and Soho.

+ There’s a real buzz about this place. This is an exciting council doing dynamic things. + Right: Orlando Capitanio runs Funny Peculiar, a video production company making training or promotional films for charities and SMEs.

Meanwhile use

“It is a pleasure to work in such a diverse space with artists, retailers, creatives, techies, musicians, artisans and bakers! The incubator units allow Central Parade to continually redefine

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“To further support and sustain the creative and evening economy,” Shomali adds, “the council also launched a successful partnership with [business advice and training organisation] Enterprise for London to deliver an intensive business support and mentoring programme.”

One-to-one business development sessions and workshops on topics such as marketing, financial planning, and legislation are available at Hoe Street Central, part of the Central Parade complex. The service is not restricted to the creative hub tenants, but open to all Walthamstow creative and evening economy sector businesses.

Left: Meanwhile Space and Gort Scott Architects set out to create units suitable for retail, cafe, workspace and studios, transforming a council service centre into Central Parade.

24 Meanwhile use

itself – from space for an art gallery and bridal gowns last year, to those units now being used by a florist and a weaver.”

facing workspace before. It makes temporary workshop and retail units accessible for startups and it gives people the chance to take on staff.”

Crucially, the mixed-use space provides Capitanio and fellow tenants with a supportive community: “Talking with someone in a similar situation just helps you to focus on what you need to do. Central Parade is also an excellent place to meet clients and suppliers, and allows small businesses like mine to expand when required, using the large networking area for freelance staff. And Meanwhile Space has very talented people who are always helpful.”

The space itself needed a lot of work to transform it into a place where residents could shop, create and relax.

Gort Scott Architects, the company appointed to this project, had a creative challenge on their hands.

Jessica Tsang, Meanwhile Space’s head of operations at Central Parade, is convinced that Walthamstow and the borough of Waltham Forest were obvious places to establish a creative hub. “Finding a massive community of creatives in the area, it seemed like there wasn’t enough space for them to showcase what they were doing,” she says. “We knew that there were other projects in Waltham Forest like this, such as Blackhorse Workshop.”

It is the vision of the founders of the social enterprise to help local people reach their potential. “This place is so special because it gives space to home workers who have never had a public-

Fiona Scott, director of Gort Scott, says: “Central Parade, a former customer service centre, is a characterful building on the high street, so the design respects this, while bringing something distinctive and contemporary. We stripped out as much as possible of the very institutional interior then designed what is intended to be a robust framework in which lots of different activities and events can happen.”

Scott adds: “We also wanted to make best use of the large shop windows – an open relationship to the street, where previously there had always been blinds and window frosting, obscuring the space from outside.”

Interest has grown around Central Parade since it opened in July 2016, it has established a new creative venture – and one from which the local community can benefit.

We are Keepmoat, a top 10 UK housing and construction company.

We design, build, finance, refurbish and regenerate places to improve economic and social outcomes for people.

Through long-term partnerships, we transform land and existing properties into attractive homes that people can afford to buy or rent, and neighbourhoods where people want to live.

Keepmoat is building hundreds of new homes in London Borough of Waltham Forest Partnership working is the cornerstone of our business; therefore we are proud to be working with Waltham Forest Council to achieve significant regeneration of the Waltham Forest area.

Together we are working on an ambitious programme that will see Council-owned garage sites being transformed into over 300 new homes by the year 2020.

Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “I’m pleased to be working in partnership with Keepmoat on this project, and look forward to seeing these sites being transformed into high quality homes for local people.”

Dan Germann, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat’s London and Southern Developments also commented, “We are proud to be providing meaningful regeneration to the borough and much-needed, new housing for local people.

“We aim to leave a lasting legacy in Waltham Forest through both housing delivery, and various community engagement and impact initiatives, providing employment and training opportunities for local people.”

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We are committed to investing in the future of Walthamstow, one of the most vibrant and emerging retail markets in London The Mall Walthamstow’s successful refurbishment marked the first phase of our longer plan investment in town centre regeneration.

For more information visit capreg.com or themall.co.uk

Stansted Airport 32 mins by road

WALTHAM FOREST

Projects CHINGFORD

Chingford

DEVELOPMENT KEY Many regeneration schemes are under way in Waltham Forest; these six are featured on the following pages: 1. South Grove 2. Walthamstow Central Station 3. The Mall Walthamstow 4. Blackhorse Road 5. Lea Bridge Road 6. Essex Brewery HIGHAMS PARK Highams Park A406

A406

27

A406

WOOD STREET

Stansted Airport 33 mins by train Central London 11 mins by tube

4 To enham Hale

BLACKHORSE LANE Blackhorse Road

WALTHAMSTOW CENTRAL

3

6

St James Street

Wood Street

Walthamstow Central

1

2

Walthamstow Queens Road ST JAMES’ STREET

LEYTONSTONE LEA BRIDGE ROAD

Central London 15 mins by train

A12 Leyton Midland Road

Leytonstone

5

Lea Bridge LEYTON / NORTHERN OLYMPIC PARK AREA

Railway line

Leytonstone High Road

Roads Walthamstow Wetlands Housing zones

Leyton A12

Canary Wharf 15 mins by road

Eton Manor Olympic Park

London City Airport 19 mins by road

Projects

Major road links M11, A12, M25 6 mins

COMING SOON TO WALTHAMSTOW

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Terms and conditions apply. Computer generated image is indicative of Taylor Wimpey homes. *Eligibility criteria will apply. December 2016.

Register your interest: taylorwimpey.co.uk 020 3780 3100

WALTHAM FOREST

Projects

29 Projects

south grove Hadley Property Group and Pollard Thomas Edwards architects, in partnership with L&Q, have received consent for new homes, a park and retail space at South Grove in Walthamstow town centre. Plans have been approved for 473 homes including 97 affordable properties.

Construction is set to begin in early 2017 and the development is expected to be complete by 2019.

A planning application was submitted in February 2016, with permission granted in May 2016. The scheme will include 2,786sq m of

public realm, including a park that will run east to west through the site, and some retail space.

Mark Lebihan, chief operating officer at Hadley Property Group, said: “We are delighted that the London Borough of Waltham Forest has decided to share our ambition to revitalise this part of Walthamstow town centre. These homes will be an attractive addition to the St James Street area and will be complemented by new public spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

While the scheme will be car-free, parking for two car club vehicles will

be provided, alongside 788 secure cycle spaces.

The developer will also contribute £2.6 million to support improvements to community infrastructure, such as healthcare and education.

It is expected that 55 jobs will be created during construction, as well as seven permanent jobs when the project completes.

The site is currently a councilrun car park and also includes a number of offices and light industrial units.

30 Projects

Walthamstow Central Station Phase two of Solum’s scheme to regenerate the area around Walthamstow Central station is set to commence in 2017.

The project will deliver around 80 units over the existing car park, as well as retail space – improved pedestrian access to the station will also feature. The development will also bring further improvements to the station square and car park, as part of a £500,000 investment.

The scheme marks a further £20 million investment in the regeneration of Walthamstow town centre following the project’s first phase, which delivered 69 new homes, a Travelodge hotel, new retail units and was responsible for the creation of more than 50 new jobs.

Solum is a development partnership between Network Rail and Kier.

Blackhorse Road The first homes at Taylor Wimpey’s Eclipse development, in the Blackhorse Lane area of Walthamstow, are due for completion in summer 2017.

Construction on the first phase of one, two and three-bedroom apartments is now well under way.

The scheme is close to Blackhorse Road station and has excellent links to central London – King’s Cross station can be reached in 14 minutes and Oxford Circus in just 21 minutes.

The Mall Walthamstow Capital & Regional, which owns and manages The Mall Walthamstow, continues to work on long-term plans to redevelop the centre.

The Mall is a two-storey, covered retail centre of 24,619sq m with an average weekly footfall of 187,000.

Anchor tenants include ASDA, TK Maxx, Boots and River Island.

The centre underwent a £3 million refurbishment in 2015, which included the installation of new shop fronts, modern flooring and new feature lighting throughout.

This was followed by the opening

in 2016 of a two-storey TK Maxx anchor store.

Early in 2016, Capital & Regional presented a masterplan outlining its ambition to redevelop The Mall, establishing a new shopping and leisure offer, alongside homes and enhancement of public space in Walthamstow Town Square.

Following local consultation on the initial proposals, Capital & Regional will hold a second public exhibition later in 2017, before submitting a planning application to the council.

Michael O’Leary, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey East London, said: “Work is progressing really well on-site at Eclipse, which means we’re now one step closer to unveiling the first selection of high-quality homes at this muchanticipated development.”

Phase two will comprise 150 new homes, to include around 50 affordable properties, which will be managed by One Housing Group.

Projects

The arrangement will enable Taylor Wimpey to accelerate the construction of the homes on the later phases of the site approximately one year ahead of schedule.

31

Taylor Wimpey has partnered with a specialist private rented sector investor with a view to delivering the first phase of homes to the market.

Lea Bridge Road The first major scheme to win approval following the reopening of Lea Bridge station gained consent from the London Borough of Waltham Forest in June 2016 and will see developer Hill deliver 300 homes in Lea Bridge Road.

Designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects, the project comprises three residential towers set around a landscaped central courtyard. It also includes 1,950sq m of new commercial space plus a gym.

32 Projects

The £100 million residentialled, mixed-use development will create 300 new homes, including 62 affordable properties.

Following the reopening of the station in 2016, the scheme represents a significant milestone for the regeneration of Lea Bridge Road.

Andy Hill, chief executive of Hill, commented: “With the reopening of Lea Bridge station, there is a real momentum to regenerate the area and this development is building on that while providing much-needed new homes.

Working closely with the London Borough of Waltham Forest, we will create a sleek and eyecatching collection of buildings, which will breathe new life into the area and become a catalyst for further growth and investment.”

Hill began work in autumn 2016 and will complete the development in summer 2019.

The first apartments will be launched for sale in early 2018.

33 Projects

Hill is also developer of The Scene, the multiple award-winning project which was completed in September 2015.

The development includes a ninescreen cinema, five restaurants and 121 homes at Cleveland Place in Walthamstow town centre.

The successful regeneration project was a joint venture between Hill, Waltham Forest Council and Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA). Pollard Thomas Edwards was the architect for the mixeduse scheme, which was built on a formerly derelict site.

34 Projects

Essex Brewery Crest Nicholson has announced the purchase of the Essex Brewery site in South Grove from Metropolitan & Suburban in January 2017. Work is planned to commence in spring, with the first units of the mixed–use development due for completion in summer 2018.

The Essex Brewery scheme will comprise 158 private units, 25 in shared ownership and 479sq m of flexible retail space suitable for retail and culinary ventures.

Following the developer’s strategy

of targeting the first-time buyer market in 2016, 95% of units will be available on the Help to Buy London scheme.

Trevor Selwyn, managing director Crest Nicholson, said: “We are pleased to announce plans for the Essex Brewery in Walthamstow, situated in one of Greater London’s first-time buyer hotspots.

“With interest rates at an all-time low, now is an important time to support first-time buyers by delivering much-needed affordable

homes. Our focus will remain towards sites in outer London that offer homes which fall within the Help to Buy London price bracket and have strong transport links to the centre of the capital.”

Metropolitan & Suburban obtained planning permission in April 2016 for the scheme designed by the Kalyvides Partnership.

The council required early delivery of the scheme and BNP Paribas Real Estate was appointed to market the site.

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Better shape up 36 Health and wellbeing

Waltham Forest’s new £26 million leisure centre – complete with extreme sports zone and spa – has bold ambitions: to help reverse obesity, reduce depression and halt deaths from preventable disease. Linsey Wynton steps inside

W

hen an Olympic medallist describes his local council’s leisure centre as “incredible”, “state-of-the-art” and “world class”, you might wonder where he lives.

Lutalo Muhammad, who won a silver medal in Taekwondo at the Olympics in Rio, is describing Waltham Forest’s new Feel Good Centre. Walthamstow is no longer up-and-coming and the Feel Good Centre is part of this change. Open since October 2016, in a prime spot close to the town hall, this vast, glass and steel fronted building cost £26 million. It would not look out of place in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The centre replaces a 60s relic, the old Pool and Track building, where Muhammad’s Olympic ambitions

began: “I trained there from the age of eight. It is utterly amazing to see what it has become.”

Stepping inside the centre reveals a two-storey labyrinth of white corridors and wooden floors, leading to top-notch facilities, fully accessible to disabled visitors.

Looking up from the eight-lane swimming pool, the ceiling is supported by five exposed wooden beams, each weighing seven tonnes; surrounding roads had to be shut to allow nocturnal delivery.

Facilities include an upmarket spa with a sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and treatment rooms for massages and mud wraps.

Close to the three-tiered, soft play

Above: Getting fitter starts with small steps – with facilities in leisure centres and parks, it’s made easy for residents to give it a go.

‘kingdom’ for under-fives is an extreme sports area for older children and teenagers. It includes London’s first permanent Ninja Run obstacle course with a battle beam inspired

by TV shows Ninja Warrior and Gladiators. There is also a trampoline park and a climbing area.

And there’s a huge gym. It features 132 cardiovascular and resistance stations and areas for free weights, stretching and spinning, queuing at peak times seems unlikely.

It is a health fanatic’s paradise, but will appeal to all ages and levels of fitness. Muhammad, who is training for the World Taekwondo Championships in South Korea next year, says: “This is fantastic for young athletes. But children who don’t get enough exercise also have a chance there with extreme sports, climbing and trampolining – these are ‘disguised sports’. I love the jungle gym and the monkey bars – they bring out the inner child in me.”

Local authorities are now responsible for public health and Waltham Forest Council aims to attract people from every class, culture and sporting ability: from TV addicts and computer gamers to aspiring Olympians.

Joyce Guthrie, head of parks and leisure at the council, says: “Our focus is on getting people out and exercising. We have a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Our strategy is about changing behaviour – from people sitting on the couch to doing a 5k run.”

Sprinter Reece Prescod, who is training for the 100m and 200m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, spent much of his childhood at the old facility. The athletics track he ran on adjoins the new development but has been resurfaced and includes a 150-seat grandstand for county championships. Prescod says: “Everyone has got a talent – you just have to discover it – and there are so many opportunities here. Even people 37 Health and wellbeing

Left: The Feel Good centre has state-of-the-art kit and spaces for workout, relaxation and play.

Kids enjoy the four-layered adventure zone and Ninja Run obstacle course, while under-fives head for the three tier, soft play area.

Right: Feel Good has two studios for dance, yoga and exercise, looking on to the running track. The climbing wall offers different levels of challenge.

38 Health and wellbeing

who are not too into sport can go to the gym and will feel good afterwards.

It helps deal with stress.”

Healthy diet and exercise provides relief to those with conditions ranging from anxiety, depression or stress to heart disease and high blood pressure.

To help encourage a healther lifestyle from childhood, Waltham Forest Council extends an open invitation to PE teachers in local schools, to bring their pupils along to sample alternative sports.

All this comes as Waltham Forest is being badly hit by government cuts. As an outer London authority with the health needs of an inner city borough, the council received £7.5 million less last year than the government estimated it needed.

Funded through prudential borrowing (loans that local authorities take out at a low interest rate) the council has no doubt the Feel Good centre will prove a worthwhile investment.

Council leader Chris Robbins says: “We asked, what can we do in these constrained economic times that would be meaningful for people?”

Since becoming an Olympic host borough in 2012, Waltham Forest has spent £1.9 million redeveloping its parks and playgrounds. Residents who are under 18 or over 60 are entitled to unlimited free swimming sessions and, in 2014, a free exercise class programme called Our Parks began.

Residents can choose yoga, circuit training, bootcamp-style workouts and running classes.

“The Feel Good centre is part of a six to seven year strategy of creating an active place to live. We want residents to think of their borough as a place where sport, leisure and open spaces are important,” says Robbins. All four of Waltham Forest’s other leisure centres have undergone refurbishments totalling £6 million.

“The Pool and Track building was in

Left: The sports hall has four courts and is used for badminton and netball.

+ This is an iconic building and facility – it is one of the biggest leisure centres in London + the worst state. We took this as our centrepiece,” Robbins says.

Even the Feel Good vending machines are part of the change, with seed bars, dried fruit and smoothies.

The cafe and Wi-Fi work zone will also serve ethically sourced produce.

Robbins says: “We cannot lecture, but we can educate people to have healthier lives and provide the facilities for when they decide to make changes.” He hopes the Feel Good centre will appeal to people like 63-year-old Sheila from Chingford, who was diagnosed with dangerously high cholesterol. “I wasn’t feeling well in myself. I had a lot of aches and pains. I didn’t want to take medicine so I started doing a bit of exercise in the park. I had two walking sticks but thought if I collapsed, there

Fitness instructor Sasha Taylor, who works at Walthamstow Leisure Centre in Markhouse Road, wants residents to make the most of the revamped leisure facilities.

“One of my clients is a lady in a wheelchair,” she says. “When she first came in, she could just do one machine. Now she has made use of them all. I see a huge difference in her confidence. Some people might be at home alone all day, so there are social and community benefits.”

Taylor’s colleague, fitness instructor Franklin Udenze, is an unofficial exercise ambassador for the borough.

“The thing about exercise is that you can’t fail, he says. “It tends to be the solution to most things, whether that is mental or physical illness. It is the feel-good remedy.”

Health and wellbeing

Statistics from Public Health England show higher than average rates of overweight and obese children in Waltham Forest. And in 2011-13, almost 300 residents died each year from preventable causes, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

39

“This is an iconic building and facility, not only for Waltham Forest, but for north London and Essex. It is one of the biggest leisure centres in London.”

would be people around to help me.”

Sheila was spotted by an Our Parks exercise group. They nicknamed her ‘aunty’ and encouraged her to join them. After 18 months of weekly box fit, circuits and yoga sessions in Ridgeway Park – as well as a low-fat diet – Sheila feels revitalised and her cholesterol is low. She says: “It’s never too late to do exercise. Even if you have avoided it all your life – start!”

12,000 HOMES BY 2020

MINUTES FROM THE CITY

NEW CREATIVE ENTERPRISE ZONE TO ‘KEEP, SEED AND GROW’ BUSINESSES

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INVEST Waltham Forest | east London www.walthamforest.gov.uk/invest

Natural capital As well as being valuable in their own right, green spaces have economic benefit too. Lucy Purdy explores how Waltham Forest is leading the way in maximising its natural resources

41 Green space

A

ncient oak, hornbeam and holly trees stand tall in Epping Forest to the north while swathes of gorsedotted grassland make up Wanstead Flats in the east. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park bustles with new woodland, wetland and wildflower meadows to the south, and the Lea Valley stretches far into the west, including the distinctive reservoir landscape being created at London’s newest urban oasis, Walthamstow Wetlands.

In every direction, Waltham Forest is surrounded by greenery. And it includes the greatest amount of green space in any borough north of the Thames. It boasts 69 open spaces – from parks, gardens and playgrounds to churchyards, woodlands and nature conservation areas, and from tree trails to ecology areas.

Waltham Forest Council has committed to a continued programme of investment in green spaces, including projects at Coronation Gardens, Leyton Jubilee Park, Lloyd Park and Higham Hill Park, nurturing them as spaces for residents and visitors to use and enjoy. The authority recognises that green spaces are important resources, often possible to manage relatively cheaply, and knows the importance of making the most of its ‘natural capital’. Going beyond support for pleasant leafy spaces, as part of National Tree Week in November, the council committed to planting 3,000 trees in Leyton Jubilee Park. Enhancing these green spaces is a crucial part of the council’s quality of life, planning and regeneration strategies.

Will Teasdale, head of strategic regeneration at Waltham Forest

Above: Walthamstow Wetlands’ 10 reservoirs are part of Europe’s largest urban wetland.

Council, outlines ways in which natural areas can nurture economic benefit. “They provide spaces of benefit to residents, as well as being one of the main reasons people want to move to the borough,” he says.

“They provide attractions and destinations for visitors, adding value to properties and developments, which in turn attracts further investment from the private sector.

They are also locations for activities and events including nature conservation, leisure facilities, walking, cycling, fairs and festivals, and link to cultural activities.”

London fails to make the most of tourism opportunities outside the city centre and needs to spread economic benefit and growth to the outer boroughs too. Waltham Forest is well-

42 Green space

Right: Walthamstow Wetlands is home to diverse greenery and wildlife. The environment and buildings will be enhanced when the regeneration project is completed.

placed to tap into the trend for ecotourism, and to create opportunities for those seeking the ‘nature cure’ as a means to balance busy city life.

For Waltham Forest Council, partnerships are key. Surrounding green spaces, from Epping to the Lea Valley, are under the management of the Corporation of London, Lee Valley Regional Park and London Legacy Development Corporation.

“The council works with these organisations to maintain the borough’s natural setting,” explains Teasdale.

The £8.7 million Walthamstow Wetlands project is being led by the council in partnership with Thames Water, the London Wildlife Trust as delivery partner and other key partners: the Environment Agency,

Left and below: New facilities set in heritage buildings will feature in the Wetlands, after investment totalling £8.7 million.

In 2017, Walthamstow Wetlands will open to the public, an area amounting to 211ha of free-toaccess space, equivalent in size to the Olympic Park. It will provide new walking and cycling routes, fishing and nature conservation at the heart of the Lea Valley. “It is anticipated that at least 250,000 people will visit Walthamstow Wetlands each year, making it a truly regional resource, living up to its billing as London’s nature reserve,” says Teasdale.

More than 300,000 people live within two miles of the site. As visitor numbers grow, the Wetlands could support the emergence of a visitor economy and physical regeneration plans in surrounding areas.

Green space

The project is currently in the construction phase, which includes renovation of the locally listed Victorian Engine House as a visitor centre, cafe and education space; a new viewing platform at the Grade II-listed Coppermill Tower; and four new entrances at Forest Road, Lockwood Way and Coppermill Lane, which will be linked by a 1.7km new foot and cycle path. Two hectares of reed beds are being added to three

reservoirs, as well as new planting.

43

Natural England and the Greater London Authority. A total of £4.47 million has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund with £3.7 million contributed by the partners and the council investing over £1 million. It is set to be both a regionally and internationally significant attraction.

+ It is a beautiful borough and would be a key part of any National Park City + Right: Highams Park Lake.

44 Green space

The RSPB has hailed Waltham Forest as “setting the standard for other councils to follow”, in respect of its initiative to make grants of £1,000 available to each ward for projects to promote biodiversity.

around nature and green spaces.

Campaigner Daniel Raven-Ellison explains that a London National Park City would be inspired by the values of our current national parks, but be appropriate for its urban environment.

When global design, engineering and environmental company AECOM calculated the value of elements of London’s ecosystems, it estimated that the 8.3 million trees deliver around £95 million of air filtration services annually. Researchers found that an estimated £1.9 billion of climate regulation services are produced by the city’s green spaces.

Making London a National Park City is about adding value to great things that are already happening and unlocking more of the city’s potential, he says. “For many businesses in the hospitality, tourism, recreation, culture and education industries, being able to simply use the National Park City identity will add value to their business proposition. It could not only make the capital more investable, it also has the potential to improve the quality of our workforce.”

The quality of the capital’s built and natural environment has an important role, from children’s education to regulating micro climates and to attracting the best businesses and employees. When The Guardian published a Let’s Move To focus on Walthamstow, it mentioned the area’s “easy access to great green spaces”.

As problems such as air pollution have been brought to the fore, the Greater London National Park City campaign has gathered pace. It aims to rebrand London as the world’s first national park city. The project has tentative support from City Hall and held its second event in September. It centres around protecting and celebrating biodiversity, galvanising stakeholders, and maximising tourism opportunities

Raven-Ellison made a beeline for Waltham Forest, in a bid to get the council on board: “It is a beautiful borough and would be a key part of any National Park City. I’ve met with councillors – there is a lot of excitement, lots of questions and lots to work out, but I’m really pleased with the progress.”

Waltham Forest residents are proud of living within reach of beautiful green spaces and all the benefits they offer. The council recognises this, and is working to maintain its ‘green niche’ – for the good of residents, employees and visitors – and its bottom line to boot.

A REPUTATION FOR

EXCELLENCE As a not-for-profit organisation, Sanctuary believes in making a lasting contribution. We apply our ethical values to our diverse building programmes - whether it’s housing for first time buyers or care schemes for older people.

Over the next ten years we plan on building more than 24,000 muchneeded homes. If you have potential development opportunities in your area, or need our help in delivering your construction projects, please contact us.

01905 335154 lisa.gibson@sanctuary-housing.co.uk www.sanctuary-group.co.uk Sanctuary Group is a trading name of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Building a new gateway to Walthamstow From Spring 2017 Phase II of our award winning regeneration of Walthamstow Central will deliver: • 79 new homes • Improved pedestrian access to Queen’s Road Station • £500,000 of improvements to the station environment and car park

Find out more at solum.co.uk

Computer generated image, indicative only.

47 Housing

Welcome home

Investors and developers find a willing partner in Waltham Forest Council. And in guiding the design of developments, the authority ensures new schemes can deliver architectural merit, economic growth and community benefit. Sarah Herbert reports

W Above: Gallery Court, the mixed-tenure development in Fulbourne Road, features spacious apartments and houses.

ith one of London’s fastest growing populations and a flourishing, diverse small business community, Waltham Forest is ripe for growth. The borough is well connected, with a strong cultural heritage, burgeoning creative industries and abundant green space.

Businesses and residents stand to benefit from economic growth taking place across the capital, and the council intends to maximise this.

In relative terms, Waltham Forest is growing faster than any other borough. Since 2011, jobs have increased by 30% (the highest in London) and the number of businesses by 40%. This is in part due to investment in Olympic legacy projects but also in the shift of economic activity eastwards.

The council has a strong track record to support its ambitions.

Successes to date, from The Scene

and Lea Bridge station, through to the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow Wetlands and the improvement programme for town centres, demonstrate the clarity of its vision and track record in working successfully with partners.

One commitment is to deliver 12,000 new homes by 2020, supported by effective local infrastructure. As central London property prices surge out of the reach of many, the suburbs have become increasingly attractive.

As that premium market slows in response to global events, London’s relatively stable suburbs are more attractive to developers.

Developing the suburbs is even official policy, with a report from the Outer London Commission stating that to accommodate growth, London needs to increase density in town centres. London planners are particularly keen on areas with good public transport. And Waltham Forest certainly fits the bill.

Councillor Clare Coghill, Waltham Forest’s cabinet member for economic growth and high streets, says: “When you have world-class transport infrastructure, there’s an expectation you should pull your weight developing housing for the capital.

That housing needs to be backed up by sustainable forms of transport.”

Can growth be managed to the benefit of all? Coghill says: “We want thriving communities. By making sure we’re providing a mix of tenures, we’re giving residents a range of options – in private or social rent, shared ownership or even council houses, which we started building in summer 2016.”

Young people need the opportunity to live affordably. “This is important as they rent for longer before buying, they are interested in independent units, as opposed to house shares.

This increases the demand for one and two-bedroom units, and frees up houses for families,” says Coghill

Below: Sanctuary Housing’s Gallery Court scheme.

48 Housing

Left: Award-winner The Scene has revived Walthamstow town centre.

Over: Crest Nicholson will develop the Essex Brewery scheme on Brunner Road.

+ The Scene is of top quality and its restaurants and cinemas have totally revived the town centre +

The charter sits alongside policy documents as a guide to developers.

As Coghill says: “It indicates that both the council and residents take design very seriously, and that if they really want to build in Waltham Forest, they need to take it seriously too. They need to recruit good architects, and use quality materials.

We want long-term sustainability, not for the development to be knocked down in 25 years.”

“The Scene, for example, is of top quality, has housing association homes, and its restaurants and cinemas have totally revived the town centre.”

And Coghill is not alone in this thinking. The scheme by Hill, Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association, and architect Pollard Thomas Edwards, has won three housing and design awards since its completion. The 2016 Housing Design Awards included the first ever award to evaluate and reward schemes that address soaring densities found in London. The Scene in Walthamstow won the inaugural Sustainable High Density award.

At the Essex Brewery site nearby, the council has also worked with developers to get things right.

Metropolitan & Suburban sold the site to Crest Nicholson in January, with planning consent in place.

Howard Wright of Metropolitan & Suburban says: “Although we started

Housing

Such pressure to build lots of highdensity new housing could have an adverse effect on quality. To ensure this doesn’t happen, Waltham Forest has introduced a 10-point design charter, working with developers to ensure housing is attractive, sustainable, inclusive and well connected.

Coghill also believes creating a sense of place is fundamental.

“Plans can make sense on a drawing board, but not off it. Developments need to be easy to navigate, well-lit and feel safe.

49

These factors are exemplified in one of the biggest potential schemes, the redevelopment of The Mall in Walthamstow. As one of the council’s partners, owner of The Mall, Capital & Regional, says: “Building modern, tall buildings is the best solution. As London expands, it is important Walthamstow accommodates the right level of housing growth in the right area.”

ahead of the new design charter being adopted, we prepared our layouts in accordance with the impending standards, and in parallel with the place-making study carried out by the council. We and our architect had input into the council’s plans for the wider area. Having worked closely with the team at Crest Nicholson, we are confident that they will meet the expectations of the borough.”

50 Housing

This desire to create a sense of place in all new developments has been strengthened by the creation of a design advice panel with CABE, formerly known as the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and now part of the Design Council. As Coghill recognises: “To ensure really top quality design, we have to accept our limitations, realise when we’re out of our depth, and get the experts in.”

So when does regeneration become gentrification? And is it a bad thing?

“If it means chain businesses moving in and dominating a high street, then that’s obviously bad,” says Coghill.

“But if it means local, creative people making a living, doing what they love, giving back to the community, organising events, spending money in the local economy, it can’t possibly be negative. A strong, local, artisan economy is not something to be feared or derided. And what is London if not a collection of villages?”

The council urges partners to put local people at the heart of every

project. Iain Taylor, director of development for Circle Housing, says: “At Banbury Park [a 350-home, mixed-use development in Billet Road], we are not only transforming under-used brownfield land into much-needed homes, we are building a vibrant community where people are proud to live.”

At its development on Fulbourne Road, Sanctuary has provided half its homes as ‘affordable’ and pledged to provide £175,000 on healthcare and £429,395 on education improvements.

The regeneration and planning team is “an excellent bunch of people,” says Coghill, “with a wealth of skills, and knowledge of the sector. They understand the challenges, particularly in the post-Brexit vote scenario where the construction sector was hit hardest and first. As long as you’re serious about quality houses, section 106, and constructive about actually getting on site, they will help you see your way through all the challenges.”

Housing is just one way in which the council aims to carefully nurture growth. As Coghill writes in the authority’s economic growth strategy 2016-2020, all aspects of wellmanaged economic growth will have a positive impact for residents. “Not just because growth can ensure a high-quality living environment, but also because future decisions around business and housing growth have a direct impact on the future financial viability of the council and the services it can provide.”

THE SCENE IN WALTHAMSTOW Winner: National Housing Awards 2015 – Overall Winner and Best Regeneration Scheme

Winner: New London Architecture Awards 2016, Best Mixed Use Scheme

Winner: What House Awards 2015, Best Development, Best Brownfield Scheme

Winner: Housing Design Awards 2016, Best Sustainable High Density Design

Highly commended: RICS Awards 2016, Community Benefit & Regeneration

Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) leads the North River Alliance, a consortium of nine community-based housing associations. Together, we have built nearly 600 affordable homes in London Borough of Waltham Forest since 2010, investing £112m and attracting grant of £45m.

One of our flagship schemes has been the development of The Scene in Walthamstow, which has won several major national awards. However its main achievement has been the transformation of the centre of Walthamstow as a place to live and be entertained.

By working together, the North River Alliance develop housing solutions for our local communities.

Leader of Waltham Forest Council, Cllr Chris Robbins and ISHA chairman, Stephen Stringer, with the NHA 2015 award

For more information, please contact: Colin Archer, Director of Development and New Business, 0207 704 7301, colina@isha.co.uk

THE PLACE TO BE SCENE: Walthamstow’s newest leisure destination

hill.co.uk

New connections

Since May 2016, the reopened Lea Bridge station has linked passengers directly to two transport hubs – and now it creates new commercial opportunities. Noella Pio Kivlehan investigates

53 Infrastructure

I

n 1985, international charity music extravaganza Live Aid was held, the UK’s first mobile phone call was made, and Lea Bridge railway station was closed.

connection which takes travellers just five minutes to travel to Tottenham Hale on the direct line to Stansted airport and Liverpool Street, or Stratford, with easy access to the city.

While Live Aid went down in history, and mobile phones are now everywhere, the station in Waltham Forest, close to the junction with Lea Bridge Road, was left to go to ruin, despite the efforts of Waltham Forest Council. For years, the authority urged Network Rail to reopen the

In May 2016, the council’s campaign succeeded. Lea Bridge station became operational again, 176 years after it had first opened. Operated by Abellio Greater Anglia, it is predicted the £12 million station regeneration will pave the way for up to 352,000 passengers a year.

Above: The reopening of Lea Bridge station increases the potential for development in the area.

A passenger survey conducted at the station over three days in July 2016 showed that 1,500 people were already using it every weekday, with an average of 1,100 on Saturdays.

Around 450,000 journeys a year are likely to be made to and from London’s newest station.

It is not passenger numbers, however, that will mark the success of the new station. Just as the railways invigorated the country when they first began running trains in the early 19th century, so it is hoped the regeneration of Lea Bridge will help transform the area. Currently surrounded by industrial sites and empty plots of land, the potential is there: the area is a designated housing zone. In fact, the reopening is already paying off.

54

In July, residential developer Hill secured planning permission for a £100 million, mixed-use scheme at 97 Lea Bridge Road. Providing 300 new homes – 62 affordable – the project will include 1,951sq m of commercial space as well as a gym.

Andy Hill, chief executive of Hill, says the project represents “a big

milestone for development around Lea Bridge Road. With the reopening of Lea Bridge station, there is a real momentum to regenerate the area.”

Hill, the developer behind the award-winning scheme The Scene in Walthamstow town centre, says working with the council means creating “eye-catching buildings to breathe new life into the area and become a catalyst for further growth and investment”.

Hill’s development is just the start.

In all, the area could have up to 2,000 new homes within a quarter of a mile of the station, according to the vision being drawn up by the council and architecture and urban planning firm Allies and Morrison.

Various developers are likely to be involved, while the council is liaising with Legal & General and Aviva on bringing forward additional sites – see panel on page 56.

Infrastructure

“There’s a window of two to three years in which we want to see things starting on-site,” says Jonathan Martin, director of investment and delivery at Waltham Forest Council.

+ Working with the council means creating eye-catching buildings to become a catalyst for further growth + Right: The bike store and automated ticket machines are part of £12 million of investment in the station.

The council aims to have all development complete by 2025.

Norwich Peterborough Cambridge Stansted Airport Harlow Town

Martin says interest in the area has been gathering momentum for the last few years. “We have seen a groundswell of market appetite for Waltham Forest – the fact that it’s so well connected: it’s got the Victoria line, Central line (both of which are night tube lines now) and very fast routes into central London with the Overground link to Liverpool Street.”

“There’s good housing stock throughout Waltham Forest. We want investment around the borough, not just in the central areas. We are looking at the Lea Bridge and Leyton housing zone so we can build on existing urban extensions. The council is looking to capture that market momentum.”

He adds that the investors and developers visiting the borough on guided tours are eyeing it as an exciting place in which to work.

“It’s all around place-shaping,” says Martin. “If we deliver housing, we also need to provide schools, public realm support, GP surgeries, leisure, retail, employment and infrastructure.”

As part of the masterplan, the council is looking at how growth will fit into existing communities. It is also considering how the regeneration of Lea Bridge will sit with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

The authority wants to expand its ice rink and, says Martin: “We think there’s a great offer in terms of leisure and wellbeing. We have other parks in

Norwich Ipswich Colchester Clacton-on-Sea Southend

London Liverpool Street Stratford

Lea Bridge Road station history Opening in 1840, the railway station served Walthamstow: an area that was popular with London’s businessmen.

The area also housed the Lea Bridge Stadium that hosted speedway racing, drawing crowds from far and wide, particularly during the 1920s, and was home to Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient) football club.

But, in 1937 the club left the stadium for a new home in Leyton, and the popularity of speedway declined. Passenger numbers dropped dramatically. In the 1970s, British Rail stopped freight services at the station, and in 1985 it closed.

But, the line on which the station sits came back into use in 2005 to allow services between Stratford and Stansted airport. The council held fast in its ambition and commissioned a feasibility study in 2012, supported by Network Rail and Transport for London. After raising the necessary funding, Lea Bridge station has become operational once more.

Infrastructure

Creative input is needed, but social infrastructure and the creation of a ‘new place’ are vital ingredients too.

Lea bridge

55

“There is a brand here. Investors can see the established character and the community feel. And we have pushed the creative agenda around workspace as well. That’s started to resonate with investors who were maybe looking elsewhere in London but not quite seen that level of offer,” says Martin.

Tottenham Hale

the area such as Leyton Jubilee Park, into which we have invested quite a bit of money. Then we have the Wetlands, which touch the northern part of Lea Bridge.”

56

The area’s industrial heritage is not forgotten. “We are looking to strengthen the employment land around the area. We have been working on the offer at places like the Argall industrial estate. In terms of investment around the estate, previous studies suggest we need to produce another 57,000sq m of floor

space for employment use and we want to do that through working with our employment and industrial park occupiers on what works for them.”

Infrastructure

Such grand plans are, of course, susceptible to economic change. But Martin says the council is confident.

“We asked our development partners around the housing zone about the recent wobbles around the likes of Brexit, and the feedback we’ve been getting is that Waltham Forest stands on its own two feet because of what it offers.

Lea Valley Eastside

Above: It is estimated that up to 450,000 passengers in a year could use Lea Bridge station.

Waltham Forest Council has launched its vision for the regeneration of the Lea Valley Eastside area.

Lea Bridge, Church Road and Leyton will see development over the next 10 years of 4,350 homes and 300,000sq m of commercial space. The successful regeneration of Lea Valley Eastside – in Transport for London’s Zone 3 – will include improved transport connections.

Martin Esom, chief executive of Waltham Forest Council, says: “All our plans are underpinned by the objective of creating thriving communities through the delivery of quality new homes, jobs and supporting social and physical infrastructure.”

Esom adds: “Our 10-year vision for Lea Valley Eastside – which is equivalent in size to the

City of London – is bursting with opportunity and offers sustainable living in easy reach of central London.”

New leisure facilities coincide with plans to double the size of Lea Valley Ice Rink, with investment in public realm, green space, schools and healthcare.

Projects under way include: Tudorvale Leyton Central – 116 homes and artist workspaces Hill 97 Lea Bridge Road – 300 new homes along with 1,951sq m of commercial space Plus three sites near the station, Argall Industrial Estate, Ive Farm, Bywaters, Score Centre, Coronation Square and Church Road

THINK YOU KNOW GLENNY? THINK AGAIN THERE ARE THINGS YOU MAY KNOW, AND THERE ARE THINGS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW. You may be aware of our Business Space Agency team with its unrivalled track record throughout our region.

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Central connections Mixed-use development opportunities are coming to market providing excellent connectivity to central London, as Huub Nieuwstadt reports

Council office Juniper House will be redeveloped as a mixed-use scheme.

58 Sitematch

JUNIPER HOUSE The London Borough of Waltham Forest seeks to redevelop Juniper House – currently council offices – for both residential and commercial uses. The ground floor will be used for retail space, with potential for up to 86 homes on the upper floors. The scheme will also include a nursery.

Juniper House is a short walk from Walthamstow Central station, with fast tube connections to central London and Brixton via the Victoria line, and the City and Stansted Airport via Tottenham Hale.

London Overground services run from Chingford with a direct link to Liverpool Street.

Phase two of Solum’s station development, which has been approved by the council, is set to transform the immediate area with new retail and leisure outlets.

Improvement is being supported by the council’s ongoing programme to

create safer pedestrian and cycling facilities and enhancement of public space. The completed first phase of the station development has delivered investment of £20 million to the town centre.

LEA BRIDGE STATION SITES The council is promoting a cluster of three small sites around Lea Bridge rail station.

Following a sustained campaign by Waltham Forest Council, the station reopened in May 2016 after having been closed for 31 years. It now provides a regular service between Tottenham Hale and Stratford and is expected to exceed the original estimate of 352,000 passengers in its first year of operation.

Redevelopment of the three sites will allow for at least 230 homes to be built, as well as some commercial and community use. The opportunity is set to come to market in early 2017.

For more information about these opportunities, contact Jonathan Martin, director of investment and delivery at Waltham Forest Council: jonathan.martin@walthamforest.gov.uk Sitematch London, taking place on 8 February 2018 at 155 Bishopsgate, is an event enabling public sector landowners to engage with private sector developers, investors and occupiers. For more information, visit www.sitematchlondon.com

SITEMATCH LONDON 2017 WAS THE BIGGEST AND BEST EVER. Here’s what our delegates have to say:

Are you confident the event will lead to further meetings/discussions?

93% YES

7% NO

Did you make new and useful contacts?

100% YES

Did you discover new sites/developers of interest?

86% YES

14% NO

The next Sitematch London is taking place at 155 Bishopsgate on Thursday 8 February 2018.

To find out about booking meetings with local authorities, networking passes and attending briefing sessions contact Josie Brewer josie@3foxinternational.com To attend as a local authority, become an adviser or sponsor contact Paul Gussar paul@3foxinternational.com

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