Parcelforce site and
West Ham United
There is no truth in newspaper
reports (Observer, February 18) that Newham Council is obstructing
plans by West Ham United Football Club to move to the former
Parcelforce site next to West Ham Station. Nor does the council
have plans to develop this site itself.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, has said that he
supports a mixed development there that would contribute to the
regeneration of the area, give an additional boost to the local
economy and enhance the development value of the land.
The difficulty, at present, is that the London Development Agency
(LDA), which owns the site, has allocated part of the land for a
new bus depot, replacing the former Stagecoach base at Hackney
Wick, which is making way for the Olympic Park.
Newham has suggested to the LDA that there is a better site for
the bus depot at Beckton Gateway, on available land already in
public ownership
Newham's view is that moving the bus depot to Beckton would free
up the Parcelforce site to be much more attractive as a commercial
regeneration prospect for all concerned, including West Ham United
if they decide to go ahead with a relocation proposal.
Establishing a bus depot at the 'front door' to the site would
diminish the substantial contribution to the regeneration that it
can otherwise provide.
The Parcelforce site covers 31 acres, nearly twice the size of
Ashburton Grove, where Arsenal Football Club have created a mixed
use development including a new stadium and many hundreds of homes.
There is no over-riding reason why such a quality mixed use
development could not emerge at the Parcelforce site.