LEYTONSTONE TOWN CENTRE LEYTONSTONE TOWN CENTRESTRATEGY&DELIVERYPLANS–2016–2020

THE OPPORTUNITY Grow and diversify Leytonstone’s independent retail, food and drink offer, supported by new housing and small-scale business space on key development sites, as well as improvements to the public realm, reducing the impact of traffic congestion and improving connections to the west and north. eytonstone is the borough’s second the library, and the public realm, most improvements to the appearance of Llargest retail centre, set on the notably around the entrance to the the public realm around edge of significant green space at underground station. A place-shaping Road/ Road and the entrance and Flats with plan for the town centre was developed to Langthorne Park as a catalyst for established residential neighbourhoods. in 2016 to help guide investment and further investment across the south Leytonstone is increasingly home to development across the town centre; this of Leytonstone. small independent retailers, food and builds on the Local Plan which outlines drink businesses and supports a number the potential for 500 homes to be built in WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US ABOUT of artisan and boutique markets, as well the town centre. The Fred Wigg and John LEYTONSTONE as a growing arts scene. However, the Walsh Towers (Montague Road Estate) 82% of Leytonstone residents said that town centre’s retail offer is dominated have been identified as priorities for they were happy with the regeneration by Tesco at the northern end which investment and improvement. that has taken place to date (Shaping is a car-friendly, out-of-town facility, Growth research, January 2016). To the south of the town centre and further reinforced by the proximity of Respondents said that what they most Overground Station, the new the A12 via the Green Man roundabout. like about Leytonstone is that it is stations at Maryland and With direct access to the Central Line, diverse, with many different cultures and in 2019 could be a catalyst for further Overground and the regional road that Westfield shopping centre is in close growth and change. However, one of network, it is open to competition from proximity; however, clearly this has an the challenges is that the High Road nearby Westfield and central , impact on Leytonstone’s competitiveness stretching south from the town centre but is likely to benefit from the night as a town centre. Residents also have to the borough boundary with Newham tube’s introduction. concerns about pressure on existing has a dispersed and underperforming services, in particular access to hospitals There have been recent town centre shopping and business offer, with the and GPs. improvements in Leytonstone including area also experiencing higher levels renovation of the Old Red Lion pub and of deprivation than most parts of the use of St John’s churchyard for markets borough. Part of the wider Leytonstone and community events. The Council delivery plan will include investment has invested in buildings, including in shopfronts, business support and CASE STUDY HIGH ROAD LEYTONSTONE A tribute to film-maker , who was born in the nearby Acacia Centre, which provides a wide range of business area, was installed along the High Road as part of works in space was refurbished, including: 2013/14. Paying homage to his 1963 film The Birds, bespoke • 14 new shopfront facades plus a refurbished supermarket paving slabs are now decorated with bird silhouettes, and the frontage along the high street building next to his former home (now a petrol station) was • New high quality granite paving, raised junction tables and transformed with a mural showing a scene from the film. carriageway resurfacing The attractive Victorian terrace at the corner of High Road • New footway parking, loading bay and cycle stands and Leytonstone and West Street was restored, while businesses, improved signage and street furniture to create a more including the Noted Eel & Pie House were improved. The pleasant public space 2016–2020

3 WALTHAM FOREST TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY & DELIVERY PLANS DELIVERY PLAN: LEYTONSTONE TOWN CENTRE AND HIGH ROAD ACTIVITY PURPOSE TIMINGS COUNCIL RESOURCE PARTNERS 1 New food, drink, arts and crafts markets To provide exciting events and markets into 2017 onwards Events team, Local the town centre, e.g. in St John’s Churchyard Regeneration businesses, St John’s Church 2 £500,000 improvements to open spaces, To improve the street scene, activate 2016–2017 Regeneration, Local community and cultural facilities and open spaces and lift the appearance and Parks, Business businesses streetscape the business environment along South Support Leytonstone High Road 3 Improvements to streets and shopfronts, To improve the welcome to Leytonstone and 2017–2020 Regeneration Transport for including entrance to the underground encourage increased shoppers and visitors London, St to support local businesses John’s Church 4 Development on the Church Lane car To develop options for a mix of meanwhile 2017–2020 Regeneration, Landowners, park uses ahead of longer-term development Housing developers plans Property, Highways, Parking 5 Improved connection to housing estates To improve links between housing estates, 2017–2020 Regeneration, Local undergoing regeneration the High Road, station, open spaces and Housing businesses, town centre Developers, Housing Associations 6 Developing brief to utilise Council assets, To create a mix of activity and facilities and 2017–2020 Regeneration, Developers, specifically in South Leytonstone for new support the growth along South Leytonstone Property/Asset sports and community/leisure facilities along Cathall High Road Management leisure Road providers, community organisations 7 Proposals for Hospital site To encourage better connections between 2017–2020 Highways, NHS, Transport and easier and safer connections between the hospital and the town centre to Regeneration, for London the hospital site and the town centre increase use of the town centre by hospital Planning Policy employees and incorporation of longer-term proposals for the hospital 8 Examine options for strategic transport To reduce congestion and pollution through 2018–2021 Highways, Transport interventions, such as improvements to the town centre and improve the overall Regeneration, for London, one-way traffic system through the town walking, cycling experience, connections Planning Policy Network Rail centre and improve walking and cycling over the A12, to the station and Wanstead routes Flats 9 Proposals and delivery plans for new To develop new housing and secure 2017–2022 Regeneration, Local housing, shopping and leisure uses on associated community benefits. To develop Housing, planning businesses, key sites, specifically Tesco, Matalan and better integration between sites and the Developers, Network Rail sites High Street, introducing a wider mix of uses Housing Associations