Pioneer Point spearheads Ilford’s regeneration
Oct 08
On Thursday, I attended the launch of the Marketing Suite at Pioneer Point in Winston Way. The glass and steel building is a fantastic example of the regeneration of Ilford. The development has been created by international development group EPGI and built by London and Regent Construction. The project is due for completion by 2011.
Pioneer Point will include two dramatic glass towers which will be 33 and 25 storeys. The towers will contain 294 apartments, designed with both security and sustainability in mind. With its great design, it will be an incredible addition to the London skyline and it is just 14 minutes from the City.
Occupants at Pioneer Point will be able to take in the spectacular views of the City and Canary Wharf. It is set to be one of the Borough’s tallest buildings; Pioneer Point will also have remarkable views of the neighbouring Olympics site.
Services include a concierge, gym and storage facilities.
I am pleased to see such a spectacular building forming part of the regeneration of our Borough.
Oct 10 at 19:28
Dear Mr Prince
I truly hope that you are right and that Pioneer Point brings the much needed regeneration in the eastern side of Ilford.
But i have this fear that the buy to let investors will rent to the social sector and the whole development will become another ghetto.
Just look at the developments in Winston way. Instead of attracting young professionals it has been captured by the buy to let market.
I have lived in the borough for the last 10 years and i am sorry to say that the quality of life in the borough is dropping. It seems all the aspirational families are moving out of Ilford.
regards
Imam
Jun 28 at 18:26
It has been a disaster from day one.
It is a huge white Elephant.
Jul 01 at 15:43
Totally agree with the comments put on by Imam. With all the hideous developments taking place now and the lack of imagination of the newcomers to Ilford in their choices of improvements to the front of their houses (which seem to take on the same boring theme across Ilford) this town has rapidly become a soulless and bland place now. Even to the point where I think it has now become very ugly. Left about nine years ago and returned briefly a few years later. Left again three years ago and this time do not intend to make the same mistake in returning there to live. Although born and bred in the town I hate seeing what it has become now.
Jul 07 at 16:45
It is just another pile of rubbish that has been added to this rubbish strewn town.
Harry
Jul 11 at 16:35
The design of new buildings tends to bring out strong views from all who come across them, but ultimately like it or loath it,
Pioneer Point can hardly be said to be “bland” and even if Ilford was considered by some to have been bland in character in the past, the new additions of Pioneer Point, Raphael House, next to Griggs Approach, the conversion into residential apartments of the former Peachey House offices on Ilford Hill and the strikingly bold new Tunnelling and Underground Construction Skills Academy next to the flyover on the Romford Road, have all dramatically changed the built form and perception of the town centre, for the better in my view.
Of course design is an important consideration, and we should all demand the very best that the development and house building industries can afford, but so too are the new training places, jobs, shops and prosperity these schemes are providing to the local economy.
Jul 15 at 15:33
Well I would expect the leader of the council to put a reply like this and of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, I am still glad that I live awy from this area now and yes firmly belive the character has gone from the town centre area. Perhaps Mr Prince would care to go and have a look at the revolting monstrousity in the shape of white tube like building constructed on the corner of Belgrave Road and York Road that I discovered whilst walking through the town recently. This construction is definately NOT in keeping with the surrounding houses and buildings in this part of Ilford and I find it unbelieveable that permission was given for such a revolting eyesore. Your views on this building, please Councillor Prince.
Jul 25 at 10:46
As you say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is a shame you do not like this new building. The building you refer to is the new Redbridge Assessment Centre which helps homeless people off the streets and back on their feet
Jul 26 at 16:04
Well regardless of what this building is used for it’s totally out of keeping with the area it’s in both in shape and colour. Do agree with the need for the building of a premises for this purpose. However, wouldn’t it have been better to have made use of the under used Community Centre in Goodmayes rather than dipping further into the public purse for this eyesore?
Jul 28 at 13:52
The design for the remodelled former Redbridge Night Shelter retains the existing frontage in keeping with the other properties in York Road. The new build element on the corner of York Road and Belgrave Road has a very contemporary design.
This was purposely to give the building visual impact to communicate that something new and innovative was happening there.
This was in keeping with the ethos of the Government’s Places of Change programme which funded the works, to communicate to the former rough sleepers there that this was not just a shelter for the night but a real ‘place of change’ where they will receive the range of support necessary to return them to independent living.
There was consultation with local residents and businesses on the design and no objections were received during the planning process.
Jul 29 at 20:01
That white tube like building is in no way in keeping with the rest of the surrounding houses.
Do belive that the council could take a mre detailed lookat the lack of useage of the Community Centre in Goodmayes.
Aug 02 at 05:18
I do wonder what the people think
who live in the houses within yards of the twin carbuncles.
Matresses dumped in the streets of Ilford (as mentioned in the Ilford Recorder last Thursday).
Take away food packaging strewn everywhere (as the food retailers shops opening hours get longer and longer).
How did Redbridge ever allow Ilford to become a Rat hole?
Harry
Aug 15 at 05:07
I have recently read the way that Pioneerpoint has been described online by the people behind it.
It reads like a sci fi story!
Harry
Sep 16 at 07:26
It is great to see architectural innovation and the modern use of materials to create great spaces and buildings of value. There is also a huge spin off from projects such as these in the use of 3D media to develop simulations of the impact, benefits and advantages prior to build. Thus providing work in the wider community
Sep 16 at 23:58
“It is great to see architectural innovation and the modern use of materials to create great spaces and buildings of value. There is also a huge spin off from projects such as these in the use of 3D media to develop simulations of the impact, benefits and advantages prior to build. Thus providing work in the wider community”
But it is totally out of place in Ilford!
Oct 18 at 14:42
As has been said before the South of Ilford and especially the town centre is a drab, soulless and bland place now. The newcomers seem to lack any imagination whatsoever in the rennovations of their properties. Why do so many of them seem to favour those hideous black railings (usually with a gold coloured tip or point on top) and quickly concrete over any garden bit with unsightly looking paving?
Nov 25 at 09:57
What does the leader have to say about the vast and i mean vast amounts of chicken shops all over seven kings and goodmayes, which for me a resident is disgusting with bones and rubbish everywhere!! creating rats and foxes! Also the restraunts along goodmayes hill where cars jus pull up and block the road which connects king georges hospital and many a time ambulances have been unable to get over the hill due to the fact people jus pulling up with no regards! there should be cctv or a traffic warden their as in all my years living here that route has got worse and worse! spend some money on this area for a change!
Dec 09 at 16:46
There is indeed a proliferation of hot food takeaways in Seven Kings and Goodmayes centres. We are able to control these premises, both in terms of their numbers and in terms of their methods of operation via the Planning and Licensing regimes.
From a Planning perspective within Seven Kings and Goodmayes centres the Council’s recently adopted Crossrail Corridor Area Action Plan (September 2011) puts a cap of 5% on the number of Hot Food Takeaways (Use Class A5). As of January 2011 the number of takeaways in Seven Kings Local Centre was 11.1% and although the Planning Department has no control over existing premises, there is no scope for further changes of use to takeaways.
In Goodmayes Local Centre it was 3.6%, but the AAP also allows the Council to refuse applications irrespective of the defined proportions of use classes if the proposal would negatively impact on litter, general disturbance and active street frontage – which will be key considerations for any planning application for takeaways.
Furthermore, planning applications for takeaways outside of the defined centres are unlikely to be approved due to their impact on the amenity of surrounding occupiers. However, Planning cannot control the type of takeaway establishments that open in this area as this is determined by demand and market forces.
The Crossrail Corridor Area Action Plan also seeks to improve the pedestrian and cycle links and access to public transport in and around the High Road to discourage car use in the area.
The Parking policy sets out the requirement for more integrated short term parking and loading provision to improve the public realm and reduce the impact of commuter parking. The Character Area Plans within the AAP set out detailed schemes to enable the implementation of this policy.
The Licensing regime controls late night hot food establishments, open beyond 11pm.
The Licensing Policy sets out the Council’s approach to all licensing matters. The Council has recently consulted on and published its revised Licensing Policy for 2011 – 2014 and can be found on Redbridge i here.
The revised Licensing Policy is sensitive to the needs of specific areas including Goodmayes and Seven Kings. For Goodmayes and Seven Kings the policy restricts the granting of any further later night refreshment licences in the area unless the applicant is able to demonstrate that they will not contribute to public nuisance or crime and disorder. The policy also allows officers to place a condition on any existing late night refreshment premises to clear up within a distance of their premises where a problem demonstrably exists.
There is also an enforcement issue about ensuring premises do not open beyond 11 pm without a licence or beyond their permitted hours. Officers have requested every late night refreshment licensed premises in Seven Kings to display a large notice in their window with the premises trading hours. This is so that the public are aware of the correct closing times and can complain to us if they are open beyond permitted hours of trading. Regular enforcement visits take place and in fact a premises was closed at the weekend (an illegal Shisha Bar) for not having a licence. A premises picked up and reported by the new Redbridge Community Police Team.
Jan 27 at 07:30
Cuts here and cuts there…Redbridge ask us how to save money as billions of pounds are being wasted on the olympics.
This once great nation will be forever in debt due to them.
Jan 28 at 02:16
“Council leader Cllr Keith Prince said: “It is a real honour that the Queen will be visiting Redbridge as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. “The borough was lucky enough to be a part of the celebrations for the Golden Jubilee 10 years ago and I’m delighted that we will be representing north east London for the Diamond Jubilee visit. ”
I wonder if Liz will be impressed by all of the dumped matresses and other selected rubbish in Ilford?!
Feb 07 at 12:56
Chuggers are now knocking on the doors of council homes across Redbridge begging for money.
Is it a police or council matter?
Begging is illegal in the streets so how come they are allowed to beg in public areas?
Feb 10 at 14:17
This is a Police matter which I have now drawn their attention to. Please contact your local safer neighbourhoods team (http://content.met.police.uk/Page/TeamFinder?scope_id=1257246764258) for help and advice.
Mar 02 at 12:03
Dear Mr Prince.
Please could you tell me your stance on the proposed temporary homes application in Hainault forest for the olympics.
thank you miss j martin
Mar 08 at 13:38
I welcome opportunities for Redbridge to participate in and assist with the organisation of the Olympics. The provision of the cycling centre nearby as well as short term economic and social benefits are examples of the positive legacy that can come to the borough and country as a whole. On the other hand, it has to be accepted that there will be temporary inconvenience to residents and businesses of the borough as a result of the proximity to what will be the largest spectator event in the world. Clearly, there are significant organisational issues to be resolved and part of this will be to achieve a high degree of security for the games.
The Hainault site has the advantage of making a significant contribution to the organisation of the games because it is fairly well removed from residential neighbourhoods and is reasonably accessible to the main road network. The current planning application will be determined by the Council’s Regulatory Committee taking account of all relevant considerations, including the views of local residents and businesses. I cannot pre-empt the outcome of this process. Should permission be granted I would expect some positive benefits to the Council and local community and for an acceptable reinstatement of the site.
Mar 09 at 17:37
so i take it that you are in favour.