Leytonstone News

Developer backs out of Leytonstone council estate redevelopment project

Bellway Homes terminated its partnership with Waltham Forest Council to rebuild the Avenue Road Estate due to challenging market conditions, reports Josh Mellor, Local Democracy Reporter

The Avenue Road Estate (centre) in Leytonstone as it looks today, Credit: Bellway/PRP

A housing developer has backed out of a major project to redevelop a Leytonstone council estate.

Bellway Homes and Waltham Forest Council planned to knock down the 1960s-built Avenue Road Estate and build almost double the number of flats.

But in early August, Bellway Homes announced it would close its London partnerships division in response to a slowdown in the property market.

The developer has now confirmed that it has “terminate[d]” its partnership with Waltham Forest Council to rebuild the estate as it is “no longer viable”.

Residents of the estate voted overwhelmingly in favour of rebuilding the estate in 2021 and planning for 617 new flats was approved in January this year.

Both Bellway and the council were approached for comment about the future of the estate following the August announcement, but the council did not respond until late last week.


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Today, a spokesperson for Bellway Homes said: “In response to current market conditions which have caused a slowdown in the sales market and a reduced output for house building, last month we announced proposals to close our London Partnerships Division.

“As a result, we have notified Waltham Forest Town Council (sic) of our intention to terminate our partnership agreement for regenerations plans for Avenue Road, due to the scheme no longer being viable in its current form.

“Ongoing communications between Bellway and the council continues as we help them move forward with its plans.”

Ahsan Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “The council has received notification from Bellway that it is unable to proceed with the regeneration of Avenue Road estate.

“We would like to give assurances to all residents that we are fully committed to the regeneration of Avenue Road and that we are now assessing alternative routes to deliver the scheme.

“We will continue to work to deliver the regeneration of Avenue Road Estate in line with the outcome of the resident ballot.”

If you live on the Avenue Road Estate, contact [email protected].


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