Countryside Properties has gained detailed planning consent for the first new homes on the redundant hospital site at Harold Wood, in the London Borough of Havering. The 20 family homes are a mix of semi-detached and terraced, three-storey homes and are to be located in the northern part of the site, where the old, seven-storey maternity block is currently located.
The new homes will be for sale to private purchasers and will each provide either three or four bedrooms and vary between 1,225 and 2,126 sq ft in size. Construction is expected to start in the Autumn.
The homes are designed by leading architectural practice, Scott Brownrigg. Outline planning consent already exists for 810 homes on the whole site, subject to a Section 106 agreement. The next phase that is expected to be submitted for detailed planning consent will consist of 68 homes comprising four different styles of family home and an 18-home apartment building.
The regeneration will provide an attractive residential community with new public open space featuring high quality landscaping and children’s play areas. Pedestrian and cycle links to the surrounding area will be opened up for local residents. Countryside Properties will provide significant funding to local schools for new facilities and equipment, and for new local health facilities and transport initiatives. The site adjoins Harold Wood railway station (which is due to be upgraded to a Crossrail station) with a current journey time to London Liverpool Street of 35 minutes.
Countryside Properties’ divisional managing director for New Homes and Communities, Tony Travers, said: “We have had a number of enquiries from prospective purchasers wishing to buy a new home at Harold Wood Hospital, so it is great to be in a position to get underway. This area has been crying out for more housing and the development will provide a cohesive and architecturally valuable addition to Harold Wood. It is our intention to create a new community that will regenerate the site to the benefit of local and new residents.”