Woodberry Down is the largest housing estate renewal project in London, and quite possibly the UK. Due to their chronic condition, over 2,000 homes hastily constructed in the 1950’s by London County Council are to be pulled down to make way for a new mixed community.

The project is notable not only for its scale, complexity and design ambition but for its means of delivery. It will be substantially self-financing, with private finance brought in to rebuild social homes. The new community will have approximately 5,000 homes, accommodating well over 10,000 people. 59% of these homes will be private, 34% social rented and 7% of intermediate tenures.

All new homes will be built to high environmental design specifications and neighbourhood energy centres introduced, partially powered by biomass. The layout is re-structured to provide a network of pedestrian-orientated streets.

Close working with the Learning Trust and Primary Care Trust has meant that planned facilities include a new city academy, three-form entry primary school, health centre, children’s centre, business and training centre, multi-purpose community centre and youth club. A programme of physical change is also fundamentally geared to addressing socio-economic outcomes.

The Masterplan served as the basis for an outline planning application and developer procurement. Proposals have been the product of close community and stakeholder involvement and been subject to detailed work. As the project has moved into the delivery phase, work has being co-ordinated with the Phase I developer, Berkeley Homes to ensure deliverability.