Highest point reached for first affordable homes in Marlowe Road estate regeneration’s final phase
Waltham Forest Council and development partner Countryside Partnerships (part of Vistry Group) have celebrated reaching the ‘topping out’ of the first building to be delivered for the council at the final phase of the Marlowe Road estate regeneration scheme in Walthamstow.
During the ceremony held on Wednesday 13 March 2024, a commemorative trowel was presented to Cllr Grace Williams and Cllr Ahsan Khan, Leader and Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council, by Kevin Delve, Managing Director (East London), from Countryside Partnerships to mark the occasion.
These homes are part of the final phase of the regeneration of the Marlowe Road estate, known as Feature17, which will deliver a total of 258 new homes, of which 43% will be affordable (comprising 65 homes for social rent and 47 shared ownership) and 146 for private sale. Designed by architects RMA and Stitch and located to the west of the completed areas of the existing development, construction of this phase is moving at pace. It started in March 2023, and is progressing well, despite challenges arising from current market conditions and is expected to complete in Autumn 2026.
Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “We’ve been working with Countryside Partnerships since 2016 to deliver the regeneration of the Marlowe Road Estate. Since then, we have built 331 new homes, including 145 affordable homes (98 for social rent and 47 for shared ownership) as well as 186 private homes. A range of new facilities for local residents were also created, including the brand-new Wood Street Library, a Co-op and Post Office, public plaza in Wood Street, children’s playground and multi-use games area, and the Marlowe Road Energy Centre and District Heating Network.
“On completion, a total of 589 new homes will have been built, including 44% affordable homes, prioritising local residents. To tackle the housing crisis, over the next 10 years, we plan to build over 3,000 new homes. This regeneration scheme is just one example of how we are delivering on this promise."
In addition to the new homes, a range of new facilities will benefit the wider area and community. Building on Walthamstow’s successful “Enjoy Waltham Forest” road improvements, which prioritise safe and pleasant journeys for cyclists and pedestrians, this final phase will also provide 556 cycle parking spaces, alongside road and pavement upgrades. Furthermore, these new homes will be set in a landscaped environment, with the provision of generous well-lit communal courtyards accessed by all tenures surrounding them.
Countryside Partnerships is also making significant contributions to Waltham Forest Council’s Carbon Offset Fund, which will help the borough achieve its overall carbon reduction targets. With 134 new trees being planted, alongside air quality improvement measures for the local area and enhanced landscaping and greenspaces, considerably improving the local environment for residents.
Kevin Delve, Managing Director of Vistry East London, said: “We are proud to celebrate this important milestone in the final phase of our regeneration of the Marlowe Road Estate, where we will soon be delivering new private and affordable high-quality homes to meet local housing needs. Since 2016 we have worked closely with Waltham Forest Council to deliver a transformational scheme that supports the thriving community here in Walthamstow, and we are delighted to build on this successful partnership with the swift progress we are making on the third and final phase.”
Marlowe Road development is benefiting the local community by bringing employment, apprenticeships as well as providing training opportunities and work experience placements for local residents. Employing local labour and using local supply chains is also helping to boost the local economy.