Cut off from the surrounding urban fabric of Poplar by the A12, this 4.7 hectare site has become isolated and run-down in recent years. Design for London has worked with the London Development Agency's Land & Development team and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) on plans to bring it back into active use.

Witherford Watson Mann Architects were commissioned in 2005 to produce an area development framework, which made proposals for industrial workshops set around courtyards and for 340 family homes and flats, defined by closes and gardens opening onto the River Lea. Design for London advised on all design aspects of this project and arranged a number of design review sessions to help the consultants shape their proposals.

Meadowcroft Griffin architects prepared a development brief for the site in 2008 as part of the Poplar Riverside masterplan, which was fed into the LTGDC's delivery strategy for the site. Design for London was on the client group for this work. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has also developed this work into a Supplementary Planning Document for Ailsa Street, which will be consulted on during April 2009.

Partners: London Development Agency, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, London Borough of Tower Hamlets