Populo Living, Newham Council’s fully owned development company has secured a significant milestone in the Carpenters Estate regeneration with the award of a £3.83 million grant from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
This grant is earmarked to accelerate the first phase of the regeneration at James Riley Point, signifying a crucial step in the long-awaited ambitious Carpenters Estate restoration and regeneration programme, delivering 2,172 homes local people can afford, with at least 50 percent at affordable rent as part of the Council wider Just Transition climate action plan to retrofit 314 existing homes (44 percent) on the estate to the highest standard as Stratford becomes Newham’s first ‘Green Zone’ neighbourhood.
The grant will facilitate the retrofitting of 132 social homes and 4 leaseholder flats with new façade upgrades to ensure high levels of thermal insulation and air tightness. Additionally, individual air source heat pumps will be installed to provide energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and hot water for these homes. These works are scheduled to commence in Autumn 2024, marking an important milestone in delivering one of London’s largest estate restoration and regeneration schemes.
Michael Holland, Deputy CEO of Populo Living said: "The £3.83 million grant from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund provides another vote of confidence in Newham Council’s approach to the Carpenters Estate. Our ‘retrofit first’ strategy will see the retention and upgrade of at least 40% of the existing homes on the estate along with the refurbishment of James Riley Point to passive house standards. The overall development is designed to be net zero carbon in operation and this approach has the potential to save 1790 tonnes of CO2 every year and support the health and wellbeing of our residents and the local community.
Following on from the LLDC planning approval last month for the outline masterplan, this announcement is yet more good news for the Carpenters Estate residents. We look forward to starting works on site later this year and delivering for Newham and the Carpenters residents.”
The retrofitting works of the 23-storey James Riley Point high-rise is set to commence will involve the complete overhaul of the existing 1960s building, which will be stripped back to its concrete frame and reimagined as a contemporary, sustainable structure. The transformation will result in expanded living space, larger balconies, and the addition of four new flats, reflecting a commitment to modernising the estate while enhancing its capacity to accommodate residents.
The 15-year Carpenters regeneration scheme will also contribute significantly to the borough's inclusive growth ambitions by generating local jobs, apprenticeships, and investment in local businesses through community wealth building procurement initiatives.