Regeneration at Avenue Road Estate includes more affordable homes

The regeneration of the Avenue Road Estate, in south Leytonstone, has taken a significant step forward after Cabinet unanimously approved planning permission for proposed improvements to regenerate the site.

In 2020 NewmanFrancis was appointed to collaboratively work with the Council in delivering resident engagement activities for the project. In Autumn 2021 Bellway Homes Limited was appointed as the development partner. The current estate has 258 flats in nine-storey blocks – a consultation in spring 2021 in which 65 per cent of residents took part found that 92 per cent of respondents were in favour of the improvement plans. 

Errol, resident on Avenue Road Estate, said: "The estate needed an upgrade, everywhere else in the local area was being done up and it felt like we at the Avenue Road Estate were being left behind. I've seen the estate change over the years, but I'm really pleased that it's now got the approval. All the residents will be happy with it. The regeneration will help a lot, it will help create a different image and uplift the whole community. The regeneration can work well provided the council and government put processes in place to look after the new estate." 

The regeneration of the estate will see 617 homes created, including 250 for social rent and a further 367 for affordable or private ownership. The high-quality new homes will range from one bed apartments to five-bed town houses, for larger families to enjoy, with 10 per cent to be accessible for wheelchair users. All homes will have private outside space, alongside communal roof terraces for residents to socialise, relax, and play outside. Current residents will be rehoused on the estate in new social housing to keep its strong community together.
Residents will also benefit from further developments such as new ground floor spaces for retail, community, and leisure activities. The redevelopment will provide new public square for community events with greener public spaces, adding 161 new trees and bringing £22m in social value benefits for the estate residents and wider community. 

Cllr Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “This is one of the largest home building schemes in our current programme, and we are really pleased that it has now received planning approval. Bringing the residents with us as we plan these improvements to their homes and their neighbourhood has been key. The plans also provide many other benefits for the wider community and improves connectivity to local services, as well as creating new local jobs and apprenticeships for local people during and after the construction work.”