Walthamstow Stadium Site July update

L&Q’s planning application for the former Walthamstow Stadium site has been validated by Waltham Forest Council and will now progress through the official planning process.

This follows months of community consultation including public events in March which has seen L&Q amend its plans in response to feedback from local communities. Of those who completed comment cards during this period:

• 58% said they liked the plans
• 60% liked the design of the new homes
• 57% supported proposals for the children’s nursery

Mike Johnson Development Director at L&Q said: “We have conducted a lengthy consultation process during which we have listened to what local communities have said and amended our plans where possible – this has included reducing the height of some of the buildings and density of the scheme, and developing our plans for community facilities to include a modern leisure centre and nursery.

“The results from our consultation in March show that the majority of those who completed comment cards supported our plans for the site with 58% of respondents saying they liked our proposals, 60% liked the design of the new homes and 57% supported plans for the nursery.

“There are over 18,000 households on the housing waiting list in Waltham Forest* – as the largest provider of homes in London we are committed to helping to meet this need, providing a mix of homes to create long term, sustainable communities. Our plans provide high quality homes for outright sale, shared ownership and rent offering many ways for local people to get onto the housing ladder.”

L&Q’s plans include:

• A new leisure centre offering a range of activities for all ages
• Children’s nursery with the capacity to provide between 60 and 80 places
• 301 new homes
• Pocket allotments
• New public spaces
• £50m regeneration of the site
• Up to 250 new jobs, including local labour opportunities
• Bringing the heritage of the site into long-term use for the whole community

Lee Davies, Director at architects Conran & Partners said “We’re delighted with the results of a hugely collaborative team effort and extensive consultation process that sees the plans incorporate feedback from a diverse array of consultees. These exciting proposals will see this iconic heritage asset preserved and brought back to life for the wider community and future generations to appreciate and use.”

In other news, representatives from L&Q met with the All Party Parliamentary Greyhound Group on Monday 11th July at Westminster to discuss its plans for the site.

Steve Yianni, L&Q Regional Director for North London said, “Our meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Greyhound Group was a good opportunity to present our plans for the former Walthamstow Stadium site, to answer their questions and to reassure them of our commitment to preserving the heritage of the site. Our plans bring the listed buildings into long term sustainable use for all ages within the community and deliver a £50m iconic development which will provide new homes, a modern leisure centre, children’s nursery, allotments and new jobs to meet the needs of local people.

“We are committed to investing in Waltham Forest and providing tangible benefits for local people and have worked in the borough for over 40 years with a strong track record in providing new homes and community regeneration. Following extensive consultation with local residents we have submitted our plans to the local authority.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors: The timing of the application process lies with the local authority to determine and includes consultation conducted by the local authority. During this time the Planning Officers gather all the information needed for them to compile their report and recommendation which is then submitted to the Planning Committee.

* Housing data taken from the Waltham Forest Council website (as at 1st April 2011) - http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/community/wf-statistics/bp-housing.htm

About L&Q

L&Q is one of the UK’s leading housing associations and has worked in Waltham Forest for over 40 years with 3,500 homes in the borough. We build high quality, new affordable homes for a range of incomes. We also deliver community regeneration projects across London investing in local communities. www.lqgroup.org.uk

About Conran & Partners

Conran & Partners is Sir Terence Conran’s multi award winning architecture and design studio, with over 30 years of creating high quality buildings and places where people want to live and work. Whether it’s bringing old buildings in sensitive contexts back to life, creating bespoke contemporary homes, hotels, or restaurants, Conran & Partners demonstrate that high quality design improves our lives. For more information please visit: www.conranandpartners.com