Ilford regeneration gets prestigious seal of approval
Published: 29 September 2021
Redbridge Council’s flagship regeneration of Ilford Town Centre received a prestigious seal of approval this week, with a visit from the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Dr Wei Yang gained an insight into Redbridge’s largest regeneration opportunity, which is planned to see the delivery of 6,000 new homes and 3,000 new jobs by 2030.
A new Cultural Quarter will also combine civic, leisure, education and community uses, kick-started by “The Spark Ilford”, free public art gallery SPACE studios and upcoming arrival of food market Mercato Metropolitano.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal said: Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal said: “It was fantastic to welcome Dr Yang, the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, to Redbridge this week for a tour of Ilford town centre. Her visit is a testament to our progress in transforming our borough by building new, affordable homes, delivering brand new, high quality spaces, both for residents to enjoy and for local businesses to thrive, and making sure that this transformation delivers for local people.”
Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Sheila Bain, added: “In Ilford we are developing a modern metropolitan town centre to accommodate planned future growth. By investing in the quality of place for our residents to both live and work, current and future residents will have access to excellent services on their doorsteps, particularly within the emerging cultural quarter.
n years to just under
“We continue to work tirelessly alongside key partners such as the Greater London Authority, which has helped develop our affordable housing programme and part funded infrastructure improvements such as the new southern entrance to Ilford Station.”
Dr Wei Yang said: “I was delighted to meet Leader of the London Borough of Redbridge Cllr Jas Athwal and the planning team led by Brett Leahy, as well as the senior management team in charge of regeneration and the community hubs programme.
“I was impressed by the close collaboration between different departments and how planning has been utilised to turn the council’s unique challenges into opportunities for innovation, growth and development through proactive communication and engagement with local communities. Also, it was really encouraging to hear the planning team’s Career Grade, Grown Your Own, Kick Start, and weekly welfare and wellbeing survey initiatives. I applaud the council’s great effort and would welcome their best practice to be shared more widely.”
During her visit Dr Yang met Cllr Athwal and senior planning, regeneration and housing officers. She also received a tour of Ilford Town Centre, including an overview of the ongoing transformation of Ilford High Street, Space Studios and Mercato Metropolitano.
Dr Yang also visited the Ilford Western Gateway, the area around Ilford Hill, Chapel Road and south of the main Ilford Station entrance, the stepping stone into Ilford with the arrival of the new Elizabeth Line.
Photo shows Cllr Jas Athwal and Dr Wei Yang at the London Borough of Redbridge presentation
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