Uplands, Walthamstow
London E17
Uplands Business Park is a 5 hectare Strategic Industrial Location (SIL) in Blackhorse Lane, Waltham Forest. In December 2023 NEAT Developments and the site owners, BlackRock Real Assets obtained a Resolution to Grant planning permission – thought to be the largest private sector application ever in Waltham Forest – to redevelop the estate. The aims are to:
- Increase the amount of industrial space, and to do so in a modern stacked industrial format.
- Introduce new uses, including up to 1,800 new homes.
- Substantially increase biodiversity, and introduce new green open space.
Located on Blackhorse Lane, just 10 minutes walk from the tube station and overlooking Walthamstow Wetlands, Uplands Business Park is uniquely placed to create a new sustainable mixed use community. The intention is to create a new “15 minute neighbourhood” in Blackhorse Lane: to retain existing businesses – this is an ‘industry led’ application – but also to increase the number of jobs on site, and establish new homes and leisure opportunities.
Given the scale of the proposals it is a ‘hybrid’ planning application: the first part detailed, the remainder in outline and subject to further reserved matters applications. The first phase will include 18,000 m² of new industrial space that will enable existing businesses to be rehoused, and 119 new homes; Uplands House (home to Big Creative Education) will also be retained.
The development will be high quality, based around a series of yards that will service businesses during the day, but can become open entertaining places in the evening. Around a third of the total area will be open space, including a new Wetlands Waterside Park. There will be a 20% net positive biodiversity gain, and the intention is that 95% of all building waste will be recycled on site.
Subsequent phases will involve up to 1,681 new homes, including affordable housing, new bars, restaurants and the waterside park. The proposals will also deliver new local shops, cafes and space for a creche and GP surgery. The development is expected to support around 1,000 new jobs on site once fully operational.
For more information please visit: www.futureofuplands.com