JTP Appointed on Havering Council's £1bn Urban Renewal Programme with Wates
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JTP Appointed on Havering Council's £1bn Urban Renewal Programme with Wates

Published on 28 March 2018

Havering Council has announced a £1 billion partnership with developer Wates Residential, to transform its social housing stock in the largest project of its kind in London.

The regeneration will come forward across 12 sites in total, replacing council estates with new, high quality housing and communal facilities, delivering over 3,000 homes in total for Havering including high-quality new homes for existing residents, and starter homes for first-time buyers.

The first phase of regeneration comprises three council estates, and will act as the blueprint for the delivery of further phases. Of the three sites, in Rainham, South Hornchurch and Romford, JTP has been selected to work on the first two, and Conran & Partners the third.

At this stage the proposals are indicative, informed by the design teams’ analysis of the local areas. The next stage will be working with local communities and businesses of each area, to develop the proposals in line with their needs and aspirations.

“
This is the most exciting and ambitious council home building programme in London, and I’m confident our new partner Wates Residential will be able to help us deliver our future vision for the borough. Forming this joint venture will allow us to provide high-quality new homes for existing residents and young people who want to stay in the borough. This, together with the arrival of Crossrail, and plans for two dedicated housing zones, means developers, businesses and residents will all want to be a part of a future Havering.
Neil Stubbings, Havering Council Regeneration Programme Consultant

In Rainham, JTP will oversee the transformation of Napier & New Plymouth House, replacing the two tower blocks with around 200 new homes in mid-rise buildings, in a range of sizes from one-bed apartments to family duplexes. The density will vary across the site, reaching its highest point at the edge adjacent to industrial land, which is earmarked for regeneration at a later date. The homes will be arranged around a BDP-designed landscape strategy featuring shared podium gardens and enhanced public realm including children’s play areas, connecting into the area’s existing network of green spaces. A human scale will be prioritised, with individual front doors at ground level creating an active street scene for the new community.

Solar, Serena & Sunrise Court, JTP’s second site in South Hornchurch, will see the creation of a retirement community village on the edge of a Green Flag country park, which benefits from lakes, reservoirs and other natural features. The proposals will draw on these to create a layered landscape strategy, establishing privacy and shelter and focusing views through the adjacent tower blocks and towards the park beyond. Around 200 homes and communal facilities will be delivered for a range of specific support needs, including individuals with dementia. The community will include allotments, sensory gardens and secure outdoor spaces to promote a healthy lifestyle, as well as a flexible community use building accessible by all residents to create opportunities for social interaction.

“
We are excited to be part of these transformational projects for Havering, and look forward to learning from the existing communities, using our collaborative placemaking approach to bring new life to the sites.
Rebecca Taylor, JTP Partner leading the project

The overall 12-site, 3,112-home regeneration project is expected to be complete by 2033.