Nearly six years after the London Olympic Games, the London Legacy Development Corporation has completed just 259 homes, according to EG Radius Data Exchange.
Another 207 homes are under construction, leaving 4,900 planned but yet to start.
The LLDC has two roles: a planning authority and a landowner and developer. As the data shows, the development side has progressed slowly. But the planning side has moved ahead.
Since 2012, the LLDC has granted consent to more than 11,000 homes on sites outside the ones it owns, across its legislative boundary, with around 3,000 homes currently under construction, according to EG’s Radius Data Exchange.
Ambitious enough?
The Draft London Plan proposes an annual target for the LLDC of 2,161 new homes pa, over the course of 10 years starting in fiscal year 2019-20.
However, for the land under its ownership, the LLDC set a target in March 2016 to build just 250 homes pa. Across the six neighbourhoods under its ownership and control, around 5,300 homes will be built.
At this rate it will take 21 years to meet the target.
Just one of six neighbourhoods has started construction. On two others the LLDC is planning temporary uses, including sports pitches in association with Adidas, as well as shipping container pop-up space for shops and food stalls.
Just one of six neighbourhoods has started construction. On two others the LLDC is planning temporary uses, including sports pitches in association with Adidas, as well as shipping container pop-up space for shops and food stalls.
Rosanna Lawes, executive director of development at LLDC, said: “LLDC is making strong progress with its plans to deliver thousands of homes on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.“The delivery model was based on phased developments, with the first work starting in 2015, just eight months after the park re-opened fully, and continuing through to the early 2030s. As with all developments of this scale, delivery will peak at particular points rather than run as a smooth year-on-year progression.
Second phase well advanced
“Chobham Manor’s second phase is well advanced and enabling works for East Wick and Sweetwater will begin in the coming weeks – several years ahead of the original masterplan schedules.”
Places for People and Balfour Beatty were announced in 2015 as joint venture developers for the East Wick and Sweetwater schemes but construction has yet to start on them.
An application was submitted earlier this year for a temporary shipping container box park on part of the site. Called Clarnico Quay, it will provide affordable workspace, food and drink stalls and artists’ space.
Lawes added: “The mayor recently revealed that at least 50% of new homes across the remaining development sites on the park – Stratford Waterfront, Pudding Mill and Rick Roberts Way – will be affordable. All are likely to be delivered ahead of their original planned completion dates.”
Sian Berry, AM chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said: “Six years on from the Olympics, the progress in completing the promised number of affordable homes by the London Legacy Development Corporation is woefully inadequate.
“The Olympics legacy was supposed to ensure a mixture of social and affordable homes on the site to be a lasting testament to the successful Games. It’s a shame that the enormous goodwill that the Olympics brought to London is in danger of being traduced.
“We have had assurances from the London Legacy Development Corporation that it will be able to meet its targets for building and allowing homes to be built on the site, but we are concerned that, on the track record so far, this may be a bit too optimistic.”
Overview: six neighbourhoods proposing 5,379 homes
Chobham Manor
Total 859 homes; 259 homes completed within phase one, and 207 currently under construction in phase two. Phases three and four yet to start. Being developed by a joint venture between L&Q and Taylor Wimpey.
East Wick
Total 870 homes. Planning consent granted in 2012. Developer is a jv between Places for People and Balfour Beatty. Construction yet to start. Application submitted earlier this year for part of the site to house a temporary shipping container box park providing artists’ space, affordable workspace, and food and drink stalls, to be known as Clarnico Quay.
Sweetwater
Total 650 homes. Developer is a jv between Places for People and Balfour Beatty. Scheme be developed at the same time as East Wick. Permission granted in 2012.
Stratford Waterfront
Total 600 homes. Plans currently being drawn up. Number of homes has been reduced, after tower height were found to interfere with views from Richmond Park.
Pudding Mill
Up to 1,500 homes. Planning application still to be submitted.
Rick Roberts way
Total 900 homes. Planning application still to be submitted. Planning consent in January 2017 for temporary uses, including sports pitches and changing facilities, and a media and marketing suite. To be delivered by international sports brand Adidas.
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