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29 October 2010
Outline planning consent has been received from The London Borough of Havering for the major redevelopment of the former Harold Wood hospital. The regeneration plans will bring the vacant and redundant land back into use and provide 810 new homes in an area of substantial housing need. There will be new public open space and funding for community and health facilities, and transport. Also included is a detailed planning consent for the refurbishment and preservation of The Grange, a Grade II listed property within the site that will be converted into 15 homes.
The majority of the site will be occupied by family housing and there will be a minimum of 15% affordable housing for rent and shared ownership. This percentage could increase in the future if viability improves. Countryside Properties will provide over £3 million of funding to local schools for new facilities and equipment, and for new local health facilities and transport initiatives.
The planning consent comes after extensive consultation between the Group, the local community and Havering Council and after a number of significant changes where made to include more family-friendly, traditional houses with gardens. The majority of the houses and apartments will be no more than three storeys in height and the tallest building will be four storeys.
The proposed redevelopment will provide an attractive residential community, with new open space, very high quality landscaping and children’s play areas, and better access to public transport, as well as opening up pedestrian and cycle links to the surrounding area for local residents.
Tony Travers, Subsidiary Managing Director, Countryside Properties commented, “This planning consent is the green light for much needed new homes in Harold Wood. Our plans have been guided by local residents and stakeholders so community ideas and aspirations have been built into the proposals. The development will provide a cohesive and architecturally valuable addition to Harold Wood. It is our intention to create a new community that will regenerate the site to the benefit of local and new residents.”
The housing development will generate less traffic compared to the traffic levels generated by the former hospital, and this assessment has been confirmed by Havering Council. To ease any congestion, new bus stops will be created on the site to provide easy access to public transport for local residents.
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Information correct as at 29/10/2010