Planning application submitted for £800M sustainable development at Blackhorse Lane

Property developer NEAT Developments, and BlackRock Real Assets, have jointly submitted a hybrid planning application to Waltham Forest Council for an industrial-led mixed-use development at Uplands Business Park on Blackhorse Lane in London E17.

The proposed development provides a solution to the urgent need to retain and intensify industrial land while delivering much needed housing in line with the London Plan, and represents only a handful of stacked industrial schemes in the UK.

The proposals would create a new mixed-use neighbourhood comprising over 29,000 sq m of light industrial floorspace, up to 1,800 new homes, 35 per cent of which would be affordable, along with extensive public realm and a range of amenity and recreational space, with a total gross development value of over £800m.

The phased approach comprises the redevelopment of parts of Uplands Business Park and Forest Trading Estate in Walthamstow and includes the demolition of all existing buildings and structures, with the exception of Uplands House.

There are plans for generous green spaces, including a new 6,000 sq m ‘Wetlands Waterside’ park overlooking Walthamstow Wetlands Europe’s largest urban wetlands and one of the most beautiful waterside locations in the capital.

Uplands Business Park is a diverse, popular community that is attracting a growing number of independent businesses and creatives, including start-ups and SMEs. The industrial provision includes multi-storey ‘stacked’ industrial units catering to a variety of needs, from consumer-facing businesses requiring bespoke units, to larger companies needing more yard space and ground floor access.

Existing businesses at the park will be relocated within the newly created units and, in total, it is anticipated that over 1,000 extra jobs will be generated through the scheme.

The plans are based on the highest sustainability credentials, targeting BREEAM Excellent for the new industrial and commercial buildings. Enhancements to the green infrastructure via high quality landscaping, tree planting and roof gardens will increase the biodiversity of the site by 50 per cent.

The plans seek to reuse, recycle or recover 95 per cent of construction and demolition waste and source building materials locally (low carbon where possible) for short supply chains. Rainwater will be recycled and re-used for external watering through blue roofs.

Brian Reynolds, director at NEAT Developments said: “This proposed development by NEAT Developments and BlackRock follows close engagement with the local community and harnesses the potential of Blackhorse Lane, identified as a key growth area by the Council.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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