Officer Level Programme Board

Date of meeting: 16 March 2021

Title of report: North Steering Group

To be presented by: Paul Creed, Head of Development & Placemaking

Cleared by: Simon Powell, Assistant Director – Strategic Projects and Property, GLA; and Dave Hughes, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing, LBN

Classification: Public with reserved appendix (information provided in confidence)

1 Executive Summary 1.1 This paper provides an update on the various developments and projects coming forward in the North Woolwich area which we now wish to co-ordinate in a more formal way via a steering group between LB Newham (LBN) and the Royal Docks Team (RDT).

2 Recommendation 2.1 That the Programme Board note the update provided in this paper and endorse the proposed approach to develop a North Woolwich Steering Group.

3 Introduction and Background 3.1 Unlike the majority of the Royal Docks area, the Authority isn’t the major landowner in the North Woolwich area. However, Newham do have a considerable land portfolio there and in addition there a number of third parties with significant land holdings. The RDT is involved in several joint public realm projects as well as some strategic developments on the outskirts of the North Woolwich area. Over the past year several projects have also come forward in the area by both large- and small-scale developers.

3.2 North Woolwich is one of the historic neighbourhoods in the Royal Docks and has a large residential community as well as longstanding large scale industry such as Tate & Lyle. It has suffered from underinvestment in recent years, despite numerous masterplans and several large-scale infrastructure projects have created further challenges to growth and integration such as the development of and the route. There are several longstanding grass roots community and cultural organisations operating in

the area such as Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre, Community Food Enterprise and Brick Lane Music Hall. It is important that LBN and the RDT promote longevity of such interests as development comes forward as well as developing new opportunities to realise Community Wealth building outputs.

3.3 The RDT and LBN Regeneration team meet regularly to discuss the various developments in this area. Due to the fragmented nature of the developments coming forward, both teams agree the best way forward is the creation of a North Woolwich Steering Group consisting of officers from the RDT and from various teams in LBN. As there are a number of external stakeholders involved in North Woolwich projects it may be appropriate to hold two boards: one with internal LBN and RDT officers, and a second to include third parties including community groups, Tate and Lyle, Ballymore etc, or a developer forum (Populo, LBN Housing delivery team).

4 Issues for Consideration

4.1 Within LBN there are several workstreams on projects within the North Woolwich area. These include:

 The Regeneration Team – a delivery plan has been drafted to identify project opportunities, the plan includes strategic masterplanning and supporting grass roots projects. Included but not limited to are project proposals developing for a community use on land over the Crossrail tracks in North Woolwich, a sport/cycle hub in the Will Thorne Pavilion() and a longer term proposal for a Circular Economy Construction Hub for the borough which is considering sites in North Woolwich  The Community Neighbourhoods Team – the North Woolwich library at Pier Parade has recently been refurbished to provide double the amount of library space and a hireable community room.  The Highways Team – working with the Royal Docks team on several large-scale highway interventions to North Woolwich Road and Albert Road.  The Property Team – working on the land portfolio and previously some negotiations with the Church of over land transfer in the area, although there has not been a recent update on this progress.  The Housing Team – working on a series of potential development projects such as the Tate Institute and Manwood Street.  Populo Housing – working on early stage capacity studies at North Woolwich Gateway and exploring opportunities for intensification coupled with public realm improvements.

4.2 Although LBN is undertaking various projects in the area and the RDT are considering potential interventions, the whole process would benefit from more structured coordination. This will enable better decision making, more clarity, greater communication with stakeholders and a clearer route to brief the EZ Programme Board.

4.3 The RDT are also actively working on a series of projects within the area. These include:

 North Woolwich Road Improvements – working with Newham Highways on a highway improvement scheme running from to Connaught Roundabout. This will deliver improvements to Way and the western section of North Woolwich Road. There are also early capacity studies to extend this project through Albert Road in North Woolwich. Our design consultants 5th Studio have issued the final draft report for the Albert Road Study and once preferred options have been selected, a community consultation programme will be developed.  Connaught Crossing Improvements – working with the various stakeholders to identify improvements to the pedestrian Connaught Crossing between the Excel centre and London City Airport.  Faktory at Tate and Lyle – working with the Good Growth Funding team, Projekt and Tate and Lyle to bring forward new affordable work spaces and commercial uses in several of the factory buildings in the Tate and Lyle site.  Albert Island – working with developers London and Regional properties to bring forward large scale redevelopment of the GLA owned Albert Island site.  Rymill Street – the GLA has some freehold interest in a site on Rymill Street in North Woolwich but there is no active work on this currently.  Pontoon Dock DLR Station upgrade – working with TfL to deliver upgrade works to this DLR station. Consultations are due to start to explore options with landowners and key stakeholders.  Tree Planting Programme – working with the Forestry Commission to deliver a tree planting scheme across the Royal Docks portfolio including North Woolwich.

4.4 LBN Regeneration team and the RDT are also aware of the following developments currently coming forward in North Woolwich:

 Thames Road Industrial Estate/Connaught Riverside – developers Ballymore are progressing a large-scale mixed-use redevelopment of a former industrial site adjacent to the Tate and Lyle refinery. They aim to submit a planning application in March 2021 for development of circa 1650 homes, a new school, light industrial space and a leisure centre. Ballymore have also just completed their Royal Wharf scheme adjacent to North Woolwich and have started on site on a second phase called Deanston Wharf.  Go Ahead Electric Bus Garage – Go Ahead have submitted a planning application for a new electric bus station on Henley Road in North Woolwich  RDLAC – RDLAC are in discussions for funding for community planting and green projects in and around their centre.  The Royal Oak Pub – developers Arbery Properties are on site at the former Royal Oak Pub for retention of the façade of the old pub and building new residential units above and a new community space.

 The Old North Woolwich Railway Station – the disused Grade II listed former railway station has been purchased by New Covenant Church and a planning application submitted for proposals to change the building into a church.  Hyde Housing – planning permission was granted in 2017 for a residential development of 163 units.

4.5 As noted above, due to the fragmented nature of the developments coming forward, both teams agree the best way forward is the creation of a North Woolwich Steering Group consisting of officers from the RDT and LBN. This should promote better communication on project progress within teams and with the general public and assist in making more efficient decisions.

4.6 We propose at least one officer from the following teams is nominated to attend this Steering Group:

 Newham Regeneration  Newham Housing Delivery  Newham Highways (when necessary)  Newham Property Team  Newham Community Neighbourhoods Team  Populo Housing  Royal Docks Team

4.7 Once the Steering Group is established, a separate group including external stakeholders can be progressed. The Steering Group will report to the EZ Officer Level Programme Board with regular updates.

4.8 If the EZ Officer Level Programme Board accepts the recommendations of this report, the RDT will work with LBN Regeneration team to set up the Steering Group and the RDT will provide administration. It is proposed the Steering Group will meet every 2 months. A draft Terms of Reference for the Steering Group is attached at Appendix 2 for approval.

5 Equality comments

5.1 There are a range of projects set out in this paper and they have slightly differing equality approaches given the varying degrees to which they could potentially impact on those with protected characteristics.

5.2 The Steering Group will encourage any design process undertaken by either party will include an assessment of that impact and ensuring that any positive impact is maximised. The improvements proposed by the various projects underway are deemed to be likely to have a positive impact by providing better access and environment in the North Woolwich area.

6 Risks arising / mitigation 6.1 This paper sets out the main issue of various projects coming forward in one of the historic and longstanding neighbourhoods of the Royal Docks. The risk

of non-co-ordination between the different stakeholders could lead to projects happening in isolation and a lack of cohesiveness. 6.2 The intention of creating a Steering Group for North Woolwich is to co-ordinate the projects coming forward by the RDT and LBN to provide efficiency and a base for communicating with external stakeholders and the community.

7 Financial Comments of the Executive Director Resources 7.1 There are no financial implications from the recommendation. The terms of reference of the steering group include ‘secure investment in North Woolwich and support funding bids’, but any financial commitments would still need to be secured through the formal decision-making process.

8 Next steps 8.1 The next steps are summarised below: Activity Timeline Officer Level Programme Board decision 16 March 2021 Terms of Reference Finalised 31 March 2021 Members nominated by Newham 31 March 2021 First Steering Group Meeting April 2021

Appendices:  Appendix A – Draft Terms of Reference (RESERVED)