Bromley-by-Bow is one of the most historic areas in the Lower Lea Valley. It is a focus for new development and has been identified by the Mayor of London and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as a location for a new town centre to support the transformation of the wider area.

Development is focused on a number of sites around the existing Bromley-by-Bow underground station. The key challenge is to reconnect the individual sites and improve access to the station, as well as mitigating the negative impact of the busy A12 trunk road and other infrastructure. These goals are essential to ensure that the existing communities to the west of the A12 are able to fully access and benefit from new amenities and facilities including retail, school and open space which are proposed east of this road. Peter Brett Associates has recently been commissioned by The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) to develop strategies to address the A12's impact on the area.

Design for London is working with local stakeholders and landowners on several projects in this area. Design for London's role has varied from working on land use strategies and masterplans (Ailsa Street, Bromley-by-Bow, Sugarhouse Lane) and preparing development briefs (Bow Lock, St Andrews Hospital), to acting as design advisers to landowners (St Andrews) and providing design advice on pre-planning applications in the wider area.

Key sites include:

* St Andrews Hospital - a major residential development by the London Development Agency in a joint venture with Barratt Homes, this is currently on site

* Bow Lock - Tower Hamlets-owned land to be developed for residential use. The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), Tower Hamlets and Design for London have recently commissioned 5th Studio to identify opportunities to improve connections to this site from the station and surrounding area.

* Hancock Road area - this strategic area is identified as the focus for the new town centre at Bromley by Bow. Landolt and Brown was commissioned by LTGDC, supported by Design for London, to produce a land use and planning strategy for the area, which has recently been adopted by Tower Hamlets following public consultation. The LTGDC will be leading the delivery of the project.

Partners: London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Poplar Harca, Transport for London, London Development Agency