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Canning Town and Custom House regeneration projects FAQs

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Answers to frequently asked questions.
Why is regeneration taking place here?

The regeneration is being undertaken to create new opportunities for people living in Canning Town and Custom House by building new homes, providing, new shops and leisure facilities, improving the environment, creating two vibrant town centres and generating thousands of job opportunities. The regeneration aims to create a sustainable mixed community and make Canning Town and Custom House a place where current and future residents will choose to live, work and stay.

When is the regeneration going to take place?

The regeneration is a long-term programme taking place on a phased basis with specific sites identified for redevelopment. Different sites will come forward at different times and the regeneration has taken a big step forward with schemes underway in Rathbone Market and the Fife Road area of Canning Town. Plans for the expansion of the town centre to the area opposite Canning Town station have also been developed.

Does the regeneration affect the whole of Canning Town and Custom House?

The Masterplan sets out the vision for Canning Town and Custom House. The attached document was produced as part of a consultation on the Masterplan, and remains a useful summary of the vision for Canning Town and Custom House. Timescales - Please note the regeneration of Canning Town is a long term programme and the phasing dates for regeneration sites contained within this document (page 8) refer to the commencement of preparatory work, such as the rehousing of residents, rather than the completion of construction works. In addition phasing may be subject to change and the regeneration of some sites may slip. We will continuously update the website as dates become firmer. Please contact the regeneration team on 020 3373 1443 for more information.

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Who will the new housing be for?

The new homes will offer a range of housing options for current residents and those choosing to move into the area. These will be made up of private for sale, shared ownership and socially rented properties and will include family accommodation. The regeneration will result in up to 10,000 new homes in the Canning Town and Custom House area. Residents who have had to move out of their homes while redevelopment occurs will have the right to return to the area.

What does the regeneration mean for residents?

Residents that live in one of the sites identified for regeneration will, at some point, need to move out of their home. Tenants who have to be rehoused because of the regeneration receive priority for rehousing when the regeneration programme reaches their area. They also receive compensation, and the costs of their move to a new home are covered. Tenants also have the right to return to the area once it has been redeveloped. Freeholders and leaseholders who have to move out of their homes receive the market value of their home plus 10% if they are a resident there, as well as some costs associated with buying a home. Home owners who have to move from their property have priority for new homes for sale in the redeveloped area. The council's commitments to residents are set out in the Residents Charter.

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What advice is available for those who have to be re-housed?

The regeneration team can provide information and advice to residents affected by the regeneration. In addition an independent residents' advisor provides free, independent advice. Solon Community Network currently provide this service and can be contacted on 0800 884 0800. Solon have produced three leaflets for home owners affected by the regeneration and one for council tenants. These can be found under useful documents on the right handside of this page.

What about people who do not live in one of the regeneration sites?

In the long-term the regeneration will bring benefits such as access to better shops and amenities, an improved environment and increased job opportunities. In the meantime however residents will still have day-to-day issues concerning where they live and neighbourhood meetings enables the community to raise these and get feedback.

Is the council responsible for all the regeneration projects in the area?

The regeneration programme is made up a number of sites, some owned by the council and some owned by other organisations. Where the council is the land owner it will take forward the development and appoint developers to do this on its behalf.

Who will carry out the work?

The redevelopment of Rathbone Market is being undertaken by English Cities Fund (ECF). For other developments, when an area owned by the council comes up for regeneration a developer consortia is openly procured to redevelop that area. Countryside Properties and Affinity Sutton have been selected to redevelop the Fife Road area of Canning Town and the first phase of construction work is currently underway. Bouygues Development and their partners One Housing Group have been appointed to take forward the regeneration of the town centre site opposite Canning Town Station and have submitted a planning application with a view to starting work in 2012.

What arrangements are there to minimise disruption during the works?

All contractors will be asked to sign up to a considerate contractor scheme to keep disturbance to residents living next to construction sites to a minimum. We also work to ensure that development sites do not cause problems for residents in the period between demolition and construction by ensuring they are secure and where appropriate used for positive activities.

What about other developments?

Where a regeneration site is not owned by the Council, the owners can take forward the redevelopment of their land. However they will have to work with the Council on planning issues and comply with the overall vision for the area. This is set out in a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which explains what is envisaged for each site and the principles that should underpin any development taking place.

Can new development only happen on identified regeneration sites?

No, a number of developments have taken place that, while not on regeneration sites, do fall within the overall regeneration boundaries. Developments like this are subject to the normal planning permissions and can contribute to the regeneration of the area.

Are there job opportunities for local people?

The regeneration will develop many local job opportunities. Initially these are being provided through construction but in the long term new shops, leisure and other amenities will also create local jobs. All developers and contractors appointed as part of the regeneration programme are expected to sign up to an employment charter to maximise job opportunities for local people and work through Workplace when recruiting staff. Workplace is the Council's scheme to help Newham residents get into employment and is based at The Place in Canning Town.

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Is the regeneration happening because of the Olympics?

The regeneration of Canning Town and Custom House is not directly related to the Olympics. The proposals to regenerate the area were put together before London was chosen to host the Olympics and the regeneration will continue long after the Olympics are over. All residents, including those in Canning Town and Custom House, are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities that the Games will bring to Newham as a host borough.

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How can I get more information?

The regeneration programme produces a regular newsletter (E16 News) that is distributed to all households in the regeneration area. The newsletter can be downloaded from this website and is also available (either in person or by writing) from Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration, The Place, 2 Silvertown Way London E16 1ED Tel: 020 3373 1443. In addition you can get more information and by calling in at the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme offices at The Place

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How can I get involved?

For details of how you can get involved visit the Involving the Community page.

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