AJplus.co.uk
Published 16 August 2007 at 11:33
Blackwall Reach development framework jumps first hurdle
Tower Hamlets Council (THC) has given the green light to the Blackwall Reach draft development framework, paving the way for the south-east London area’s regeneration.
Prepared by THC and English Partnerships, the framework – on which Horden Cherry Lee Architects has been working with Capita Symonds – will now provide the basis for a three-month public consultation period.
Blackwall Reach is the area bounded by East India Dock Road to the north, the Blackwall Tunnel Approach and East India Docks to the east, Aspen Way to the south and Cotton Street to the west. The area also takes in Robin Hood Gardens.
In a statement, THC said the consultation will ‘gather the broadest possible range of views and aspirations from local residents and key community stakeholders on proposals in the document, which includes options to either retain or redevelop Robin Hood Gardens.’
The project website can be found at www.blackwallreach.co.uk and a ‘community gathering’ to discuss the proposals is planned for Saturday 22 September.
by Max Thompson
Major changes:
The first is whether Robin Hood Gardens should be retained or demolished. The second is the extent to which the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel should be covered to provide extra land for development.
Robin Hood Gardens
Retaining Robin Hood Gardens would reduce the total number of new homes that can be built on the site and also reduces the amount of funds available for community facilities such as schools, health-care and recreation buildings.
If Robin Hood Gardens is retained it would need to be renovated to the Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard. This would require significant work to be undertaken within each apartment, which is likely to involve the tenants having to move to alternative accommodation.
Covering the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel
By covering the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel entrance, noise and air pollution would be reduced across Blackwall Reach and it would help improve links to the Mulberry Place and East India Dock area.
The construction of a cover, known as a deck, over the approach to the tunnel would be expensive, but these costs could be offset by building apartments on the deck. Reducing the extent of the cover, would reduce the total number of new homes which could be built and would reduce the funds available for community facilities.
Option 1: KEEPING Robin Hood Gardens, refurbishing the buildings
The image below is a sketch of the regeneration site if Option 1 is preferred. The existing buildings of Robin Hood Gardens are in brown.
Main elements
Option 2: REPLACING Robin Hood Gardens
The image below is a sketch of the regeneration site if Option 2 is preferred.
Main elements
Main elements
Key events:
August 2007 – COMPLETE
London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) approves proposed options for consultation
August 2007
Consultation website and helpline launched
August 2007
Publicity for consultation project begins with delivery of postcard with details of consultation website and helpline
August 2007
Door to door visits by project team to discuss proposals with residents
September 2007
Regeneration workshop is held at Blackwall Reach
Spring 2008
Based on the outcome of the consultation the final plan is developed for approval by LBTH
Late Spring 2008
Planning application submitted for the final regeneration plan
Late Spring 2008
Second phase of public consultation on the formal planning application for the regeneration
Summer 2008
Decision on planning application
Late 2008
Start on site (subject to planning approval)
Published 16 August 2007 at 11:33
Blackwall Reach development framework jumps first hurdle
Tower Hamlets Council (THC) has given the green light to the Blackwall Reach draft development framework, paving the way for the south-east London area’s regeneration.
Prepared by THC and English Partnerships, the framework – on which Horden Cherry Lee Architects has been working with Capita Symonds – will now provide the basis for a three-month public consultation period.
Blackwall Reach is the area bounded by East India Dock Road to the north, the Blackwall Tunnel Approach and East India Docks to the east, Aspen Way to the south and Cotton Street to the west. The area also takes in Robin Hood Gardens.
In a statement, THC said the consultation will ‘gather the broadest possible range of views and aspirations from local residents and key community stakeholders on proposals in the document, which includes options to either retain or redevelop Robin Hood Gardens.’
The project website can be found at www.blackwallreach.co.uk and a ‘community gathering’ to discuss the proposals is planned for Saturday 22 September.
by Max Thompson
Major changes:
The first is whether Robin Hood Gardens should be retained or demolished. The second is the extent to which the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel should be covered to provide extra land for development.
Robin Hood Gardens
Retaining Robin Hood Gardens would reduce the total number of new homes that can be built on the site and also reduces the amount of funds available for community facilities such as schools, health-care and recreation buildings.
If Robin Hood Gardens is retained it would need to be renovated to the Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard. This would require significant work to be undertaken within each apartment, which is likely to involve the tenants having to move to alternative accommodation.
Covering the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel
By covering the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel entrance, noise and air pollution would be reduced across Blackwall Reach and it would help improve links to the Mulberry Place and East India Dock area.
The construction of a cover, known as a deck, over the approach to the tunnel would be expensive, but these costs could be offset by building apartments on the deck. Reducing the extent of the cover, would reduce the total number of new homes which could be built and would reduce the funds available for community facilities.
Option 1: KEEPING Robin Hood Gardens, refurbishing the buildings
The image below is a sketch of the regeneration site if Option 1 is preferred. The existing buildings of Robin Hood Gardens are in brown.
Main elements
- Robin Hood Gardens would be refurbished
- Smaller buildings to the south of Woolmore Street would be removed to increase the available public space
- The buildings over the Blackwall Tunnel approach would be smaller than proposed in Option 2 so they better match the size of Robin Hood Gardens
- Total number of residential units would be lower than for Option 2, which reduces the funding for new community facilities
Option 2: REPLACING Robin Hood Gardens
The image below is a sketch of the regeneration site if Option 2 is preferred.
Main elements
Main elements
- Robin Hood Gardens would be demolished and replaced with new high quality housing, allowing the central green space to be enlarged
- A section of the Blackwall Tunnel Approach would be covered as in Option 1
- A larger number of new residential units are proposed for the Tunnel Approach as they would no longer need to match the size of Robin Hood Gardens
- The larger number of units would offset development costs and contribute the maximum amount of funding towards community facilities elsewhere on the site
Key events:
August 2007 – COMPLETE
London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) approves proposed options for consultation
August 2007
Consultation website and helpline launched
August 2007
Publicity for consultation project begins with delivery of postcard with details of consultation website and helpline
August 2007
Door to door visits by project team to discuss proposals with residents
September 2007
Regeneration workshop is held at Blackwall Reach
Spring 2008
Based on the outcome of the consultation the final plan is developed for approval by LBTH
Late Spring 2008
Planning application submitted for the final regeneration plan
Late Spring 2008
Second phase of public consultation on the formal planning application for the regeneration
Summer 2008
Decision on planning application
Late 2008
Start on site (subject to planning approval)