Regeneration

Woodberry Down is the largest housing estate in the London Borough of Hackney and one of the largest in Europe. The SRB6 project aims to transform the local area, primarily in terms of housing.

NEWS 27 Jan 2004

Future mapped out for Hackney's biggest estate

Hackney Council's Cabinet last night approved a plan for the regeneration of the borough's largest housing estate. Woodberry Down Estate consists of 2000 homes and is home to 6000 residents. Its regeneration promises to be one of the largest single estate projects in Britain. The plan also encompasses the four nearby estates of Lordship North, Hill Court, Sandford Court and Homeleigh Road, taking the total of homes under consideration to nearly 2,500.

The plan hinges on a stock transfer strategy and the selection of a partner Registered Social Landlord (RSL). It is envisaged that of the 3,600 homes to be provided, approximately 1,600 will be for rent, 300 will be in shared ownership or equity schemes, 200 designated for key workers, 1,000 for open market sale and 500 for refurbishment. The Council has performed a full financial health check on the proposed way forward to ensure that it is affordable and will deliver the regeneration of the estate.

The initial stage of delivery will depend on the development of the Woodberry Down school site. At one stage, disposal of the site to English Partnerships to build affordable homes was envisaged as an option. However, this arrangement fell through, and the Council had to offer the site for disposal on the open market, subject to delivering the right number of affordable homes for decant. The Cabinet approved the sale to the preferred bidder, and this sale will facilitate the decant strategy needed to get the plan moving. English Partnerships has confirmed that it wishes to continue to support the residents and the Council by remaining a partner in the ongoing regeneration programme.

Cllr Jamie Carswell, Hackney's Cabinet Member for Housing, who presented the report said:

'The plan presents a very challenging programme of works and timetable to the Estate Development Committee, residents and the Council. If it is to work, it is vital that all stakeholders work together. The Council is about to embark on a major consultation exercise with residents which will lead to a transfer ballot.

I know that some residents were disappointed that the original plan to sell the school site to English Partnerships fell through, but I am convinced that we can deliver the regeneration of the estate through the means set out in the report. I am also pleased that English Partnerships has offered to help us facilitate this ambitious project, and our Chief Executive is looking into how we can work together with them.

This programme will deliver comprehensive regeneration to one of the most blighted areas of the borough, but one with great potential. I am determined that it must deliver not only decent homes for the people of Woodberry Down, but a sustainable community for the future.'

The full Cabinet report is available on Hackney Council's website at http://www.hackney.gov.uk/index/council/decisions/yc-committee-reports.htm

"The initial stage of delivery will depend on the development of the Woodberry Down school site. "

This refers to the old Woodberry Down Secondary School site, not ours!