Uplands Business Park plans approved to benefit residents

Back in March 2022, the Blackhorse Strategic Industrial Location (SIL) Framework was completed by Waltham Forest Council in collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA), landowners, and businesses with the masterplan formally signed off by the GLA in June 2022 and will provide much-needed space for local businesses and new housing alongside new retail and leisure spaces.

On Tuesday 5 December 2023, further plans were approved for Uplands Business Park to create an industrial-led mixed-use redevelopment. The two-phased programme will bring 1,800 new high-quality homes, over 1,000 jobs to the area and significantly increase industrial floorspace to 29,000 sqm. This will not only provide more affordable industrial workspace but will also help the thriving businesses already in residence at the Blackhorse Creative Enterprise Zone.

The plans include significant increases in biodiversity and green spaces that will be accessible to all. This includes a proposed new Wetlands Park to link in with the wider green area network. To support new and existing communities, essential infrastructure is planned such as new educational facilities, health services, walking and cycling improvements to roads, and funding to local community hubs.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “We are pleased that the plans to transform Blackhorse Lane with Uplands Business Park have been agreed and the real work can begin. This is going to be a huge bonus for residents once complete, creating thousands of new homes and jobs with more improvements to the surrounding environment. It’s going to create a new destination in Waltham Forest that everyone can enjoy. Without this creative use of land and investment, we simply would not be able to generate this many economic opportunities or benefits for residents.”