Planning permission granted for Courtenay Place railway arches

Planning permission has been granted to repurpose railway arches in Courtenay Place, St James, Walthamstow, into potential spaces for businesses.

The proposals form part of a transformation plan for the area to keep the local economy growing and improve community safety. The proposal for the railway arches could see them become office space, workshops, shops, small food and drink establishments and other small-scale business uses, that are suited to fit inside the walls and dimensions of a railway arch, in the future.

Alongside this, the Council has appointed design teams to develop proposals to improve public spaces at St James including new paving, lighting, signage, public art, street furniture, and planting, improving the look and feel around the interchange at St James overground and bus stations and connectivity to the High Street.

These proposals build on works to upgrade St James Path, including the route through the railway underpass, which are already on site and will be completed in the summer.

The extent of improvements to the railway arches is subject to ongoing surveys, discussions with key rail infrastructure partners and landowners, and cost assessments. If feasible, work to the arches will occur in phases following the landscaping upgrades and start with a small number of arches.

In addition to this the council has recently designated an Economic Impact Zone (Area 2: St James Quarter Improvements | Let’s Talk Waltham Forest ) in St James to support local businesses and its growth as a destination. This work will help benefit local businesses through attracting more footfall, investment, and more regular local traders to this area of Walthamstow. Key actions already underway in the Economic Impact Zone Include the adoption of Pavement Licenses making it more affordable for businesses to apply for outdoor tables and chairs, a programme of Planning Enforcement to take collective action on rogue landlords, and the development of the new weekly market for the St James Area.

Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration said:

‘’The council is delivering a coordinated programme of improvements and investment in the St James part of Walthamstow, working closely with local businesses and residents. Works are underway to upgrade the key pedestrian connection through the railway underpass, with wider plans to improve further the appearance, use, and safety of the area’s public spaces.

Securing planning permission to re-purpose vacant and derelict railway arches is an exciting milestone and we will continue to work with partners at Network Rail, Transport for London, and Arriva Rail London as we look to deliver on this vision.

As the ambitious regeneration plans for Walthamstow Town Centre are delivered, we look forward to continuing to work with local residents and businesses to ensure St James is a vibrant, safe, and attractive neighbourhood and real destination in its own right.”

Further information and updates on St James and the wider Walthamstow: Culture for All UK Government Funded programme can be found at our Let’s Talk website.