Transport for London’s major regeneration site at the Limmo Peninsula in East London has taken a new step forward with the appointment of masterplanner Howells, in partnership with developer Ballymore, to lead the design and development of approximately 1,400 homes on the 5-hectare site. This follows earlier plans from 2019, when TfL was working with Grainger and Danish firm CF Møller, which has since closed its London office. The new appointment marks a shift in the project’s direction, continuing ambitions to deliver a significant new residential neighbourhood.

The development, which is being overseen by Places for People, TfL’s development arm, will include around 40 percent genuinely affordable homes. This tenure split aligns closely with wider strategic goals to ensure a mix of housing types, incorporating affordable rent and shared ownership arrangements. The scheme is also set to incorporate extensive new green open spaces, including a river walkway intended to improve pedestrian access to Canning Town tube station, which is serviced by both the Jubilee line and the DLR, enhancing sustainable connectivity options.

A formal planning application is expected to be submitted next year, with construction likely to begin between 2027 and 2028. The Limmo Peninsula sits on a previously industrial site that was a staging ground for Crossrail tunnel works, with tunnel-boring machines launched from here to connect key destinations such as Reading, Shenfield, Heathrow, and Abbey Wood. This brownfield location, currently inaccessible to the public, is one of the largest remaining regenerable tracts of land in London and offers a pivotal opportunity to support the city’s ongoing growth and housing needs.

City officials have underscored the potential impact of the scheme. Ben Tate, heading property development at Places for London, described the project as “one of our most ambitious developments to date,” highlighting the collaboration with the private sector as key to realising the site’s potential. Meanwhile, Tom Copley, London’s deputy mayor for housing and residential redevelopment, welcomed the progress as a crucial step toward delivering high-quality and affordable homes that integrate new green spaces and enhanced cycle routes, reinforcing the emphasis on sustainable urban living.

This project forms part of the broader Canning Town and Custom House regeneration initiative, which aims to transform the area into a sustainable, car-light neighbourhood prioritising public realm improvements and improved transport links. The emphasis on creating inclusive, affordable housing in close proximity to public transport is consistent with London’s long-term housing strategy and policies aimed at fostering equitable growth.

In addition to new homes, the development will include commercial spaces and substantial improvements to public amenities, with plans calling for around two hectares of new parkland and riverside paths. These enhancements are intended not only to serve incoming residents but also to benefit the existing community by improving accessibility and green space availability, addressing earlier concerns about the loss of open areas due to urban development.

The Limmo Peninsula will thus serve as a flagship example of London’s approach to utilising transport estates for housing delivery while balancing affordability, sustainability, and community integration. As work advances over the next few years, the scheme promises to contribute significantly to easing London’s housing shortage while fostering a vibrant, connected neighbourhood.

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Source: Noah Wire Services