A site in London is set to have a major facelift after exciting plans were announced over the weekend to transform one of Newham’s largest brownfield regeneration sites.
TwelveTrees Park will deliver more than 3,800 homes, with 40% affordable homes, including social-rented family homes, with more than 750 homes already under construction.
The project will be delivered by Greater London Authority, London Borough of Newham, Berkeley, Homes England, Peabody, and Transport for London.
Deputy Mayor of London for Housing Tom Copley and Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz OBE joined the celebrations and shared their support for brownfield regeneration.
The partners took a tour of the site, visiting new affordable homes and a new pedestrian bridge giving access to West Ham station, which are the first parts of the development to be delivered. Forty-five affordable homes will be handed over to Peabody later this year with a further 65 following in March.
Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said: “I’m pleased to be here today to celebrate the huge progress being made at TwelveTrees Park to unlock underutilised brownfield land and deliver thousands of new, high-quality genuinely affordable homes in Newham.
“With more than 3,800 new homes set to be delivered – 40 per cent of which are genuinely affordable – alongside improved pedestrian routes, transport links, fantastic green spaces and a new community centre, this development will make a real difference to the local area and embodies our mission to build a better, greener, more prosperous London for all.”
This progress follows a major regeneration investment announcement by Homes England, Greater London Authority and Berkeley in February. TwelveTrees Park was one of three projects to receive funding to drive delivery and undertake major infrastructure works on site.
Harry Lewis, Divisional Land and Development Director at Berkeley Capital said “By prioritising the delivery of affordable homes, transport infrastructure and community amenities, we’re ensuring that local people really feel the benefits of this brownfield regeneration first.
“With thousands of mixed-tenure homes coming forward at pace, TwelveTrees Park is playing an important role in delivering the homes Londoners need and giving a new home to hundreds of families in Newham.”
The 26-acre site stood derelict for a decade but is now unlocking a wealth of opportunities for the borough, in-line with the new Labour government’s commitment to accelerate housing delivery and a brownfield-first approach.
When complete it will include new station entrance bridge to West Ham station, a 1,000-pupil secondary school, a 4.5-acre Wi-Fi-enabled public park, community centre, commercial space and 1,200 full-time job opportunities.
Phil Jenkins, Executive Director of Development at Peabody, said: “It’s fantastic to see the remarkable progress at TwelveTrees Park which is testament to the hard work of all partners involved.
“The transformation of brownfield sites into much-needed new homes – 40 percent of which are affordable – is great news for the borough. TwelveTrees Park is set to become a vibrant and well-connected hub with good local amenities and job opportunities for local people. Residents will benefit from a balance of large green spaces and speedy links to central London.
“Crucially, we will be providing much needed family-sized affordable homes that meet local needs.”
Isabel Coman, Director of TfL Engineering and Asset Strategy said: “Good transport links are vital to help unlock new housing and growth, and we’re delighted to be helping support this new development at West Ham, providing more than 3,800 homes – 40 per cent of which will be affordable.
“Last year, we successfully oversaw the installation of two bridges across the Tube and DLR lines to support the new station entrance, which was achieved with no disruption to passenger services.
“Once complete, the new station entrance will transform the connectivity of the site, making it easier to take public transport for work or to visit friends and family across the city.”
