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Network Rail masterplan to redevelop last Olympics legacy site

[1] is launching a masterplan to regenerate over 30 acres of brownfield land in East [2] that was once the main construction hub for [3]‘s 2012 Olympics.

The land is currently in use as Bow Goods Yard, which is home to several heavy rail freight users. During the Olympic games, it was the site of the Olympic warm-up track.

Strategically located next to the A12, it is the last piece of land to be unlocked as part of London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy, and the last remaining industrial site in the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) area.

Throughout the work, [4] will work closely with its partners including LLDC, Greater London Authority, and the London Boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets

Bow Goods Yard is currently one of London’s largest railheads, supplying over a million tonnes of concrete and aggregate for the construction industry.

The new development envisages a sustainable transport network for East London through rail-fed warehousing and an integrated last-mile logistics hub to serve Greater London. This could significantly reduce HGV journeys across London, thereby delivering a lower carbon footprint and easing congestion.

The development team intends to work closely with the neighbouring communities of Pudding Mill, Fish Island, and Strand East so that the scheme will connect with surrounding pockets of nature such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the River Lea and Greenway to enhance the area’s biodiversity.

Maccreanor Lavington Architects will work in partnership with Network Rail and key stakeholders to deliver a vision for the site, with Montagu Evans as the lead planning and development consultant. Consultation and design will take place throughout the rest of this year with a target to submit a planning application in 2024.

Overall, the development has the potential to deliver:

  • a large rail freight campus with an integrated last-mile logistics hub to serve Greater London;
  • a park-side neighbourhood of homes, leisure, industrial, and open space;
  • workspace and workshop accommodation for emerging and creative businesses;
  • landscaping and open space that celebrates the site’s unique location;
  • connectivity with Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and local communities;
  • wider Infrastructure improvements

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail said: “As the last part of the regeneration story for the Olympic Park, Bow Goods Yard is strategically connected by both road and rail. The development has the potential to create London’s largest state-of-the-art freight and last-mile logistics hub to serve Greater London, alongside delivering homes, a workspace campus and open space connecting to the surrounding neighbourhoods.

“The regeneration of this strategic site demonstrates the huge importance rail infrastructure plays in unlocking the development of brownfield sites and to deliver on London’s sustainability agenda. We look forward to working closely with both communities and key stakeholders on this opportunity.”

Lyn Garner, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation said: “This is a very welcome step forward to make significant environmental improvements to the area. The masterplan will help to balance the needs of local communities, create space for much-needed housing and retain the benefits of a rail freight hub to help deliver London’s Net Zero commitments.”

Blazej Czuba, Associate Urban Designer with Maccreanor Lavington added: “We have been developing unique approaches to London’s employment locations for many years and we are thrilled to have been selected to apply them on this unique site. Bow Goods Yard has the potential to be London’s most industrious sites – it is also about its newest park and the evolving residential neighbourhoods around it.

“This project needs care and sensitivity in its design, with a fair amount of innovation. The team understands the complexity of London: its communities, its spatial character, its uses, and the mix that will create a new neighbourhood here for the people of Newham and Tower Hamlets.”

References

  1. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  2. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  3. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  4. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)

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