The council aims to turn Courtenay Place, between St James Street Station and Walthamstow High Street, into a “green link” with a new pocket park, planters, art, and potentially new businesses under the railway arches

Courtenay Place next to St James Street Station, Credit: Waltham Forest Council

Waltham Forest Council is consulting on a proposed “reimagination” of railway arches and public spaces next to St James Street Station.

The council has appointed architects Feix&Merlin, Extended Studio and a wider consultant team as part of the reimagination.

The project is part of a wider £17million Levelling Up Funding programme of investment given to the council to regenerate parts of Walthamstow.

The council aims to turn Courtenay Place, which connects St James Street Station and the bus stand with Walthamstow High Street, into a “green link” between St James Street and Walthamstow High Street, with a new pocket park, and the “activation” or opening of existing railway arches, as well as other improvements to public spaces.

The improvement scheme also includes new lighting, signage, art projects, and landscape design, as well as the refurbishing of arches so that businesses can move in and open up shop.

The feasibility of opening the arches will be reviewed by carrying out the first phase of surveys.

The plan additionally involves the removal of physical barriers and “unfriendly” security fencing, overgrown shrubs, and soil (some of which could be reused in new planting).

Council deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and regeneration Ahsan Khan said: “Making Waltham Forest a better place for residents is at the heart of everything we do. We are creating a thriving and welcoming cultural destination in the St James Quarter, and we are pleased that architects Feix&Merlin and Extended Studio can come with us on this journey to help us deliver our vision through the Levelling Up programme that will provide more green spaces and attract more visitors to the town centre, bringing an important boost for the local economy.”

Julia Feix & Tarek Merlin from Feix&Merlin said: “We were delighted to get a place on the Mayor’s A+U Framework, and when we saw this opportunity come up, we jumped at the chance as it seemed perfect for us, and a natural collaboration with Extended Studio.

“We love to work on this kind of community regeneration project, and we saw a strong and pioneering vision from the council team at Waltham Forest. A shared aim to take what is a slightly forgotten backland space and transform this into new exciting and activated place, forging connections back into the lively high street and St James Street Station.”

Tom Sykes, Director of Extended Studio said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with F&M, and Waltham Forest, on this project – it’s a real chance to bring life to a piece of unused infrastructure, and create new, flexible and inspiring spaces for local businesses and communities.”

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