New future planned for Bishopsgate Goods Yard
A new lease of life is being planned for the
historic Bishopsgate Goods Yard which has been dormant for 40
years.
The Mayor of London and Hackney and Tower
Hamlets Councils have approved new planning guidance that will
shape the future of the 4.7 hectare site in Shoreditch which
straddles the borough boundaries.
The planning guidance lays out the vision for
the site’s future regeneration, which could provide up to 2,000 new
homes, including family and affordable housing, along with a health
centre, community facilities and employment space.
An exciting feature of proposed development
will be the creation of a high-level public park above the
Braithwaite Viaduct, with links to existing green spaces such as
Allen Gardens – to create a Shoreditch version of the famous New
York High Line park. These plans will see up to 1.7 hectares of
open space created for the local community.
Tower Hamlets Council Lead Member for Housing
and Development, Cllr Marc Francis, said:“We particularly want to
make sure any development integrates the Grade II listed
Braithwaite viaduct and former entrance gates in a creative
way.
“After sitting there unused for 40 years, it
really is time to see this site brought back to life. The new
Shoreditch high Street station will open on the East London Line
extension next summer and it’s the perfect catalyst for the site’s
regeneration.”
The planning guidance was amended after a ten
week period of extensive community and stakeholder consultation
which took place during March to May 2009. The draft was
approved as interim planning guidance by Tower Hamlets’ cabinet on
2 December and Hackney’s cabinet on 23 November 2009. Deputy Mayor
of London Sir Simon Milton endorsed the guidance on 9 December.
The local authorities and the GLA have worked
closely with the future developers Ballymore Group and Hammerson
Plc and with urban designers Terry Farrell and Partners to produce
the planning guidance.
Tower Hamlets and Hackney Council’s will now
work with Transport for London to implement public realm
improvements to provide an attractive setting for the new station.
We will also consider temporary uses for the Braithwaite arches,
such as shops, leisure facilities and cultural uses, to generate
activity at the site before comprehensive redevelopment takes
place.
The planning guidance can be downloaded, by
chapter, along with the supporting documents, using the links
below:
For further
information contact:
Development Schemes Team
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Phone: 0207 364 5327
Fax: 0207 364 5415
e-mail : majorprojects@towerhamlets.gov.uk