Catalyst and Swan Housing Association have received planning permission for their Blackhorse Yard regeneration scheme in the Blackhorse Road area of Waltham Forest, East London, which will transform the former Webb’s Industrial Estate into a thriving new creative neighbourhood.
The scheme will create 359 high-quality, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments which are available to buy as Shared Ownership homes to help address local housing need and provide an affordable route onto the property ladder.
The new homes will also sit alongside new retail spaces, a creative hub for artisans with artists’ studios and affordable workspaces and a children’s play area.
These new public spaces, along with high quality community gardens and external space, include new trees and a new pedestrian crossing and cycle lane along Blackhorse Lane. The new public realm will link to Sutherland Road, improving connections through the neighbourhood and will serve both the existing and new community. All apartments will include private outdoor space, in the form of balconies or gardens and residents will also have access to communal gardens and other open space.
Geoff Pearce, Deputy Chief Executive for Swan Housing Association, said: “Swan is really excited to be working with Catalyst to deliver Blackhorse Yard as an all-affordable high-quality housing scheme. As well as helping to address local housing need the scheme will make a real difference to the local community by also providing new public spaces, including a creative hub and artists’ studios which will add vibrancy, and help to install a sense of whilst providing a nod to the site’s roots as a former glass lampshade and bulb factory.”
Richard Smith, Catalyst’s MD for New Homes (London), commented: “This is a tremendous achievement to finally get to this stage, and I’m excited to see start on site on what will become a fantastic new neighbourhood in Waltham Forest. I’m really proud of our partnership with Swan, as we work together to deliver this 100% affordable scheme that will see us build hundreds of new homes for the local community, as well as what we hope will be an attractive commercial offer for local artists and creators.”
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the London Borough of Waltham Forest and has been designed by CF Moller Architects.
A planning application was approved for the scheme by London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Planning Committee on 4th March 2021.
