BlackRock Real Assets and NEAT Developments have submitted plans for an £800m stacked industrial “neighbourhood” on Blackhorse Lane, E17.
The hybrid application proposes an industrial-led mixed-use scheme at Uplands Business Park in Waltham Forest, comprising more than 300,000 sq ft of light industrial, up to 1,800 homes and extensive public realm.
BlackRock said the development would provide a solution to the urgent need to retain and intensify industrial land while delivering much-needed housing in line with the London Plan.
If granted permission, the development will be one of only a handful of stacked industrial schemes in the UK.
NEAT director Brian Reynolds said the development “seamlessly integrates housing with industry and culture, providing modern, stacked-industrial uses with much-needed homes in a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood.”
Around 35% of the housing will be affordable.
The phased approach will redevelop parts of the Uplands Business Park and the Forest Trading Estate in Walthamstow, and will require the demolition of all the existing buildings and structures, with the exception of Uplands House.
Phase one will see the construction of 180,000 sq ft of stacked industrial floorspace across two buildings, around a new industrial yard, allowing the retention of all of the site’s existing tenants. It will also deliver 119 new homes.
Phase two will deliver a further 110,000 sq ft of industrial floorspace and up to 1,681 homes, along with shops, restaurants, cafés, outdoor markets and leisure spaces, substantially increasing the cultural, leisure and F&B offer.
There are plans for new green spaces, including a 60,000 sq ft “Wetlands Waterside” park overlooking Walthamstow Wetlands.
The plans aim to achieve high sustainability credentials, targeting BREEAM Excellent for the new industrial and commercial buildings. Enhancements to the green infrastructure aim to increase biodiversity on the site by 50%. At least 95% of construction and demolition waste will be reused, recycled or recovered, rainwater will be recycled and re-used and priority will be placed on making the scheme a “15-minute neighbourhood”, with cycling and walking given priority over vehicles.
Subject to planning, construction of phase one is due to start in late summer 2024, with completion anticipated in summer 2027.
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