Hackney,
20
November
2019
|
15:33
Europe/London

More say for residents in Woodberry Down regeneration

Local people will have a greater say in the design of new homes built through the regeneration of the Woodberry Down Estate after proposed changes to the agreement with its developer were approved.

Updates to the Principal Development Agreement between Hackney Council, Berkeley Homes and Notting Hill Genesis, confirmed by the Council’s Cabinet this week, mean the Woodberry Down Community Organisation will now help select architects and other firms involved in building new homes. 

The group – whose elected members represent residents on the project – will be part of an expanded design committee that will look at all areas of new development. 

Berkeley Homes will continually market homes for sale in the UK and provide the Council with data about who it has sold to, under new transparency terms that demonstrate that homes for sale are being promoted to local people first.

The redevelopment of the Woodberry Down Estate is one of Europe’s largest single-site regeneration projects. Since construction started in 2009, nearly 1,800 new homes have been completed at Woodberry Down – with nearly half for social rent and shared ownership. In total, more than 5,500 new homes are set to be completed. 

The project has also seen the opening of the Woodberry Wetlands to the public for the first time in nearly 200 years, the new Redmond Community Centre, Spring Park and Skinners’ Academy, and refurbishment of The Edge youth centre and Woodberry Down Primary School.

The regeneration of Woodberry Down has seen hundreds of residents move home – including new properties at a social rent for existing Council tenants.

Residents are represented at every level of our partnership, but this updated agreement strengthens the role they play in ensuring that regeneration is done with local people. 
Ajman Ali, Acting Group Director, Neighbourhoods and Housing

A review of the existing masterplan will take place over the next year with the aim of increasing the number of homes for social rent being constructed in later phases of the programme.

WDCO support any changes that speed up the regeneration and provide additional new social rented homes. 

We work hard with partners to improve the design of the new homes and welcome the opportunity to participate in selecting the architects to produce the new masterplan.
William Sheehy, Chair of Woodberry Down Community Organisation
Berkeley Homes is delighted that once again there has been a demonstration of partnership working between the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, Hackney Council and Notting Hill Genesis in agreeing amendments to the Development Agreement. 

The changes will keep the regeneration on track and increase the role of the local community in the development of future plans. 
Daniel Massie, Pre-Development Director, Berkeley Homes

Find out more about the regeneration on the Woodberry Down page.