The mixed-use development is backed by the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock. Construction may start in summer 2024

An illustration of what the approved development will look like. Credit: NEAT Developments

Waltham Forest Council has green-lit plans to turn a Walthamstow trading estate into a sprawling mixed-use development featuring a set of 38-storey towers.

The development is backed by the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, and Neat Developments.

Outline planning permission was granted at a council meeting on Tuesday 5th December for five residential towers reaching 30 to 38 storeys as part of the development’s second phase.

The development will also include three towers at 18 storeys as well as six smaller towers of up to eleven storeys.

To make way for the project, the site’s 35 low-rise industrial units will be demolished except Uplands House, an office building previously used as a college.

The council has touted that it will bring 1,800 new “high-quality” homes as well as more than 1,000 jobs to the area. In addition to a boost in the borough’s residential capacity, there will be industrial floor space of 29,000 square metres.

The plans additionally include increases in biodiversity and openly accessible green spaces such as a new Wetlands Park to link in with the wider green area network.

The council says that essential infrastructure will support new and existing communities such as new educational facilities, health services, walking and cycling improvements to roads, and funding to local community hubs.

There has been notable pushback to the plans, however. Back in October a local historic society slammed the development, calling it “appalling” as well as describing the proposed designs as “completely out of character” with the surrounding area.

In its formal objections to the development, The Waltham Forest Civic Society also said it would make the Lea Valley look like “New York’s Central Park”.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, the council’s housing lead 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.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.