Waltham Forest Town Hall regeneration moves step closer

Plans to transform the site of Waltham Forest Council’s Town Hall have moved a step closer after planners approved phase one of the proposals.

The two-phase development will create a new neighbourhood in the heart of the borough, refurbish historic buildings and opening up the Campus to the public.

The Town Hall Campus scheme has backing from the One Public Estate Programme, which gave the project £640,000, which is its largest allocation of funding in the country.

Phase one of the development includes creating an inclusive and welcoming space with a new water fountain as the centrepiece. Choreographed water jets will be accessible for all. The existing fountain will be replaced as it does not meet current health and safety standards. Works are due to commence in mid-2020 and are set for completion in spring/summer 2021.

Proposals for phase one have been created by architect Hawkins\Brown and brought forward with planning and heritage consultants Montagu Evans, with landscaping designers Churchman Thornhill Finch and servicing specialists Ramboll.

Adam Cossey, Partner at Hawkins\Brown, said: ‘Hawkins\Brown’s proposal for the renewal of Waltham Forest Town Hall is built around four core principles: we want to open up more of the town hall to the community; to enhance the valuable heritage of the building and celebrate its many original features; to transform the workspace and provide council employees with a collaborative working environment; and to reflect the unique heritage, culture and values of Waltham Forest.’

The Council is currently recruiting a delivery partner for phase two of the project.

The developer’s role will include building around 500 new high-quality homes for local people on the Town Hall car parks and close to the Willow House site, with 50% affordable, as well as constructing a new civic office building, as well as retail and café outlets for residents to use. Detailed plans for this phase of the development, which will include consulting residents, will be drawn up in 2020 and it is expected to be completed by early 2024.