Reducing reliance on traditional industry, building 43,000 homes, creating up to 60,000 jobs and making Newham greener are among the priorities for Newham’s new Local Plan.
At a full council meeting on Monday, councillors approved the plan, which sets out the focus for Newham’s regeneration over the next 15 years.
The new plan is the result of two years of consultation, and will update the former Local Plan, which ran from 2012-17.
A Local Plan sets out the key changes to take place in an area, including improvements to housing, infrastructure and transport. Among Newham’s proposals are a shift of focus from traditional industries to techonological ones, and more sustainable ways of building houses. But how might the suggestions affect you?
Stratford and West Ham
Stratford will become a “thriving” metropolitan area. With the success of Westfield and the development brought in by the Olympic Park, this isn’t hard to envisage, and is perhaps one of the less surprising ideas in the new plan. Focus will be on turning Stratford into an employment and business hub, to help boost the economy of the area.
Expect to see:
- More than 4,000 new housing units
- Better retail opportunities in Maryland
- New tall buildings around West Ham and Plaistow stations
Royal Docks
The Royal Docks has been dubbed the very impressive sounding Arc of Opportunity. In layman’s terms, this means making the most of the area’s unused land. Current “fragmented” housing will be turned into distinct neighbourhoods, and with improved transport, it’s expected more life will be injected into previously vacant spaces.
Expect to see:
- Riverbuses on the Thames
- New schools, shops, and places to meet along the riverside
- New businesses and warehouses in Albert Island
Canning Town and Custom House
Business is the name of the game in Canning Town and Custom House, with further development of warehousing, engineering and green industries. Together with the opening of Crossrail (whenever that might be), Custom House will become the gateway to the south of Newham, and an effective transport interchange.
Expect to see:
- Local shopping sites will be protected around Cundy Road, Fife Road and Western Gateway
- Two new streets – one for housing and one for green infrastructure
- Employment in the industrial sector at the Prologis Industrial Estate, and employment in the creative and cultural industries at Bidder Street, Silvertown Arches, Esk Road and Beeby Road
Beckton
Changes to Beckton have to take into account the significance of the area’s waste and transport depots. While there will be ongoing investment in the sewage treatment works and DLR depot, there’ll also be a focus on improving the “disconnected” and sometimes poorly accessible residential areas.
Expect to see:
- Royal Albert North becoming a state of the art business quarter
- Better bus and DLR connections around areas with housing
- Redevelopment of the Alpine Way retail park
Forest Gate
Forest Gate is going hipster. To retain its “urban village” feel, and to add to the indpendent businesses which have been popping up lately, there’ll be more unique shops and arts and cultural activities.
Expect to see:
- A new small to medium sized foodstore
- Better management of congestion on Woodgrange Road and Upton Lane
- Development of the “tired” post-war estates around West Ham Park and Wanstead Flats
Manor Park
Manor Park’s main changes will come thanks to Crossrail, which is expected to “reinvigorate” the area.
Expect to see:
- Development near cemeteries and Wanstead Flats
- Better conservation of sites of heritage, like on Forest Drive, Little Ilford Lane and Plashet Grove
- More local employment opportunities in Romford Road and High Street North
East Ham
The south of East Ham will be getting an upgrade, making the town centre less linear and more attractive. The focus will be on breaking down the one street mentality of the area, and spreading what’s in the town centre to the very borders of East Ham.
Expect to see:
- Making Barking Road, High Street North and High Street South better “corridors of movement”
- Improving access and appearance of the Greenway
- Step-free access at the station
Plaistow
Plaistow is getting a boost around its’ station, which the plan hopes will become a buzzing town centre. Most of the development will be around the station, Dulcia Mills and Ashburton Terrace.
Expect to see:
- Improving the view from West Ham Park and the Greenway
- Revamping “tired” post-war housing estates
- More of a town centre feel around the station
Green Street
Queen’s Market is the heart of Green Street, and that’s not changing. The plan seeks to maintain the international appeal of the area, but it also gives a nod to the area around West Ham’s former football ground, which is being redeveloped.
Expect to see:
- New housing around the old Boleyn Ground
- Step-free access at the station
- Maintaining the important ethnic identity of Queen’s Market
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