Sugarhouse Lane and Three Mills are located in the heart of the Lower Lea Valley and form one of the most significant pockets of historic industrial urban fabric in the valley. Three Mills is currently occupied by film studios, includes several listed buildings, and is a designated conservation area. Following a detailed heritage assessment, the London Borough of Newham also declared Sugarhouse Lane a conservation area in June 2008.

Three Mills and a significant part of Sugarhouse Lane are owned by the London Development Agency (LDA). In January 2008, the LDA and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) commissioned a consultant team led by Urban Practitioners and Stephen Taylor architects to develop a masterplan for the Sugarhouse Lane and Hunts Lane area, which will introduce new mixed-use development while retaining and strengthening the special qualities of the area. The masterplan has recently been extended to include the Three Mills area and will be completed by early summer 2009.

This work builds upon some earlier studies undertaken by Adams & Sutherland for the area in 2004.

Design for London is part of the client group. We helped write the project brief, assisted in the selection of the consultant team, and are currently arranging a number of design workshops to ensure the masterplan fits with neighbouring projects.

Partners: London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, London Development Agency, London Borough of Newham, English Heritage, Lea Valley Regional Park Authority