Our consultation with you

The Leather Gardens site is part of the Affordable Homes for Newham programme, which includes 45 sites across the borough where the Council is taking the lead in trying to tackle the housing crisis by building over 1,000 new homes. 

The proposed five storey block of flats will provide 21 new one, two, three and four bedroom council homes. The development is designed to help meet Newham’s housing needs by providing a large proportion of family-sized homes as well as two flats for wheelchair users. The development will be car-free, except for the wheelchair homes.

The eight large family homes are made up of five three bedroom, double storey homes at ground and first floors and three four bedroom flats on the upper floors. All double storey homes have private patios and front gardens at ground level and all flats have large useable balconies. 

Four of the double storey homes have front doors of their own to create footfall all the way around the building for security and safety. A mix of railings and taller walls provide a degree of privacy to private patios. All sleeping accommodation will be on first and upper floors for privacy and as one of the measures to protect against flooding.

The development is designed to be car-free and so will not increase pressure on street parking, as residents will not be entitled to apply for parking permits. The only parking provision will be for the two wheelchair homes. 

From our earlier public consultation we learned that the most suitable place for the new block on this site is on the southern part, where it would not impact on the surrounding homes. 

The new flats will have views of the existing central open space at the heart of this residential area and contribute to its safety and security by overlooking the public spaces and routes in all directions, especially the current blind spots against existing gable walls. 

The narrow path currently hemmed in between railings to the David Lee Point car park and the wire fence of the vacant site will be transformed into a wide, pleasant and safe route for pedestrians.

A play area for children is proposed to the south east side of the site where young children can play safely in a traffic-free space, supervised from windows above and at ground level. Raised bed allotments nearby means parents and grandparents can garden while children play. 

The scheme has useful pedestrian paths so that one day it might be possible for the walk along the current east-west route across the estate to lead directly to the bus stop at Manor Road.

The smooth shape of the building footprint is intended to encourage the flow of people walking around it. The main entrance to the block is in a prominent place close to the two main pedestrian routes around the area, and opposite the open space in front of David Lee Point and Brassett Point. 

The entrance has a secure lobby for mail boxes. This leads to the inner lobby connected to the stairs and a spacious lift capable of accommodating wheelchairs and large items of furniture for when people move in.

Secure cycle storage at ground level close to the main entrance is intended to promote cycling and healthy living. The refuse store, including bulk storage space, is also located close to the entrance for secure visibility and convenience.

All communal areas and doors will benefit from a building management system for the use of fobs, CCTVs and video door entrances etc. The security and safety systems will be integrated to prioritise the safety of residents in case of fire. 

Passivhaus standards

The new homes are designed to have a minimum impact on the environment by achieving Passivhaus standards. This means they are comfortable, well-insulated homes which are easy and economical to run. 

Transport and highway matters

The Leather Gardens site is within walking distance of Abbey Road DLR station and West Ham Underground, DLR and National Rail station and there are bus routes serving Stratford, Plaistow and Canning Town nearby. As part of the proposal it is intended to improve links through the site and immediate area and to improve pedestrian access to Eastbourne Road and Manor Road.

In accordance with Council policy, the proposed housing at Leather Gardens will be car-free, except for two disabled parking spaces for the two wheelchair homes. The location of these car parking spaces will be agreed with the Council’s Highway team, but will be on-street close to the new housing. The disabled parking spaces will incorporate electric vehicle charging facilities. Residents will not be allowed to apply for parking permits and will be provided with a welcome pack which will set out details of sustainable travel. In addition a cycle store will be provided.

As soon as the current restrictions due to Covid-19 are lifted, the project team will undertake a parking stress survey to confirm the current parking situation in the vicinity of the site and the potential number of parking spaces available within 200m of the site. The scope of the survey will be agreed with the Council’s Highways Department in advance. The results of the survey will be submitted as part of the planning application.

The proposed refuse and servicing arrangements will be set out in a delivery and servicing plan, which will need to be agreed by the Planning Department. Access will be from Eastbourne Road.  

Construction management

A construction management plan (CMP) will be submitted as part of the planning application, setting out details of the proposed delivery and construction hours, the route of construction traffic and details of general traffic management. Measures will be put in place to limit any noise and dust from the construction works. The CMP will be required to be approved by the Planning Department before any works can start on site. 

The appointed contractor will be a member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which requires them to:

• give utmost consideration to any potential impact on neighbours and the public
• keep local residents informed of the work taking place
• minimise the impact of deliveries, parking and work on the public highway.

A resident liaison officer will be appointed to keep neighbours informed and to help deal with any issues that may arise. Information on the construction programme will be updated regularly on the project website.

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