In recent years, Stratford High Street has seen a large number of proposals for high density residential developments. Design for London has been working with the local authority and other partners to ensure that the huge impact these will have is effectively co-ordinated and positive.

 

When completed, these proposals could lead to the arrival of 20,000 new residents, together with new local facilities and new routes and public spaces. Several major planning applications have already been approved and are now on site. To ensure developments work together as part of a new urban neighbourhood, partners commissioned Urban Practitioners and Stephen Taylor Architects to develop a strategy for the area.

 

This strategy was completed in April 2008. It sets out guidance on public realm, identifies five new public spaces (now incorporated into the High Street 2012 project), gives massing guidance, identifies community infrastructure requirements and proposes the partial downgrading of Stratford High Street and Carpenters Road.

 

The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) secured £10 million funding to deliver the first phase of new public space projects by March 2011. This is especially significant as these spaces will be on the doorstep of the 2012 Olympic site, with VIP traffic passing along Stratford High Street. Edaw were selected to design the SHS public realm enhancements in early 2009, and the project will start later in 2009 for completion in March 2011.

 

Design for London prepared the brief for the strategy and was the lead client on the design aspects of the proposals. We also continue to provide design advice on planning applications to the Greater London Authority (GLA) Planning Decisions Unit and local authorities.

 

Partners: London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority