East Wick + Sweetwater, Hackney, London – Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People

"The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery and a local Co-op branch, whilst Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a café and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood."

Where is the project located?
Clarnico Club, 15 Tandy Place, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3AS
 
Who is the developer/client of the project?
Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People

Describe the context of this project and the point it has reached in its development. When is the project expected to complete?

East Wick and Sweetwater (EW+S) is a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. 

Over its lifetime, EW+S will bring new schools, nurseries and community spaces to the area, as well as creating a strong residential community with over 1,850 new homes. The ambition is to create an eclectic and thriving neighbourhood with people at its heart.

EW+S is being built over an area of brownfield land that once had industrial use. It is now a growing residential district, seamlessly connecting Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with Hackney Wick & Fish Island, cementing its place in the legacy of the London 2012 Games.

The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery and a local Co-op branch, whilst Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a café and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood.

Planning approval for the next five phases of development was granted in December 2021 and January 2022. These phases will provide 1,557 new homes, of which 502 will be affordable.

These phases will also see 802 sq m of new employment and retail space created alongside more than 1,200 cycle spaces, encouraging sustainable methods of transport.

More than four acres of new, multifunctional open space, including a green roof, doorstep play areas, a garden square and outdoor play areas will also be created.

EW+S will be developed over the next ten years.

 
How are you seeking to foster community, welcome visitors and attract tenants. How are you responding to changing demographics, behaviours, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis since winning planning?

Across phase one homes were offered in three tenures to ensure people from all backgrounds and incomes had an opportunity to live here. This also gives residents opportunities to scale up or downsize in the future depending on their housing needs, without having to leave the neighbourhood. This mixed-tenure approach is carried forward in all subsequent phases. 

Each phase provides a mix of complementary uses, including commercial and retail, to create the best offer for residents. The commercial spaces in phase one have helped to activate the community and include a nursery, a Co-op and a deli.

Meanwhile use activations have helped to bring forward commercial and retail uses at an early stage of the regeneration - EW+S partnered with Make Shift to create Hackney Bridge, a new canalside destination featuring workspaces, public facilities, events, markets, restaurants, and bars. This makes use of unused land ahead of later development, providing spaces and opportunities for the existing community whilst encouraging newcomers to set up in the area.

Much of the early community engagement has taken place at Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a café and flexible event space.

Clarnico Club’s café is operated by SEND (a charity supporting and training people with disabilities), and inclusive community events already put on there include an Islamic Calligraphy workshop and a Middle Eastern art class.

Methods of sustainable travel are encouraged by the provision of cycle spaces, reduced parking spaces and electric charging points for residents and visitors.

 
What is your sustainability strategy and how are you mitigating carbon use and construction pollution? Please provide any evidence or data. 

EW+S strives to have some of the highest sustainability standards of any residential project in London. 

The planning process ensured the scheme met stringent environmental aspirations. Designed with sustainability in mind, the homes are being built to Code for Sustainable Homes 4+ standards, with the non-residential buildings constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards.

On Phase 1, 302 Zero Carbon homes were delivered (as defined by the London Plan), secured by LCS0.132 through on-site reductions and carbon off-setting.

Other focuses were on the use of ethically sourced materials, such as 25% recycled aggregates, whilst EW+S has minimised waste to landfill through construction, achieving 99.8% diversion and reduction of embodied carbon by 26%.

Enhanced landscaping has increased the amount of biodiversity in the area, whilst a network of “liveable streets” is helping to enhance the sense of neighbourhood.

The construction team is prioritising low energy and low carbon plant and equipment on site. Best practice plant and vehicle operation, smart controls, full loading and efficient transportation routes ensure low energy site operation. Early connection to the electricity grid, and investigation of use of low carbon fuel, decreases construction associated carbon emissions.

The team is reviewing options to utilise modern methods of construction within forthcoming phases, particularly pod installations and panellised systems. This will reduce carbon emissions further.

The fact that EW+S is being built on formerly disused brownfield land is a sustainable form of development in its own right; no buildings have had to be demolished to make way for the new development.

 
Describe the social impact of the project: How is this place contributing to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of its citizens? Please provide any evidence or data. 

EW+S is contributing significantly to the local economy through job creation and employment of local businesses.

The new homes are being built to highly efficient designs which is helping to make a positive contribution to its environmental impact.

New commercial occupiers are being carefully considered so that residents have everything they need to live sustainable lifestyles, whilst ensuring the offer complements what is already provided in the neighbouring areas.

Every apartment has its own private balcony, whilst residents also have access to new green spaces and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

EW+S is pet friendly across all tenures, something which has grown in importance following the pandemic, when many more people became pet owners.

Residents’ opinions are valued and listened to via elected resident representatives who join the wider EW+S stakeholder committee. As well as having an open line of communication with the Customer Experience team or Estate Management team, these meetings provide a platform to share feedback with EW+S’ stakeholders.

The team’s dedication to supporting businesses and start-ups in the local area includes a £100,000 Futures Fund which the Joint Venture set up for developing young people’s economic prospects. More than £40,000 has been awarded to local enterprises to date.

Additionally, a Growth Fund has been established to provide £500,000 in business loans to local SME businesses. To date, £120,000 of investment has been committed to five different investees.

Through ECHO, members of the team have volunteered 614 hours to mentor SMEs and provide financial advice and business support.