MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS PROJECT REPORT 27
to change and progress – a concept that was harnessed by the developers, who say it “ran deep throughout the duration of the project.” Suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst – daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst – delivered her fi rst speech in 1913 at the site, as part of a campaign to improve conditions for women living in the East End. The site was also visited by Mahatma Ghandi in the same year when he visited England to discuss constitutional reform in India with British politicians. Honouring the work of the suffrage movement, the team harnessed the heritage in order to involve local children in the project. The team worked in partnership with arts charity Bow Arts and a local primary school, who visited the site before creating placards on topics they were passionate about, with a focus on empowerment and standing up for their beliefs. These messages were included as part of a mural handpainted on a passage used by pupils to access the school, helping increase the sense of community and ownership for locals – a theme that was central to the entire development. Following the community consultation, a planning application was submitted in 2020 which took full consideration of
not only the needs but also the wish list of the local community. Approval was granted the following year, and work began properly onsite in 2023. While some buildings on the site were retained and rejuvenated, others were demolished to make way for the new buildings. In ctober 2025, use handed the fi rst of the homes over to Poplar HARCA, with the remainder of the project due for completion in early 2026.
THE NEW HOMES The fi nal development comprises 274 new homes, of which 33 are shared ownership and 82 are for affordable rent, managed by Poplar HARCA. The homes range in size from studios up to four bedrooms, with all the three and four bedroom homes available at London affordable rent – an essential component in the project’s strategy to prioritise local families. The scheme also includes three new shops, a cafe and community kitchen, and a variety of outdoor spaces including a play park, a ‘pocket park,’ and various other part-pedestrianised public amenity spaces. Ten of the homes are fully accessible, with two of these designed to be autism- friendly. It’s the fi rst time the housing association has provided such a range
All images © Muse Developments Ltd and Poplar HARCA
WITH THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPT AT DEVELOPING THE SITE HAVING FALLEN FLAT, IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT THE PLANS WERE ROBUST AND VIABLE
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