De Beauvoir Estate New Homes Programme

Why is the Council proposing new homes on the De Beauvoir Estate?

Hackney faces a significant shortage of genuinely affordable housing, with thousands of households currently on the Council’s housing waiting list.

The Council has identified a number of underused sites across the De Beauvoir Estate, such as garages, depot sites and other service areas, where new homes could potentially be built without demolishing existing homes.

The aim of the project is to provide new council homes while also improving the estate environment through new public spaces, safer routes and other improvements.

How many homes are proposed?

The proposals currently include 341 new homes across several locations on the estate.

These would include:

• 90 council homes for social rent
• 61 homes for shared ownership
• 190 homes for sale, which help fund the council homes and wider estate improvements.

All proposals remain subject to planning approval.

Why are some homes proposed for sale?

Developments of this type are typically funded through a mixed-tenure approach.

Homes for sale help generate the funding needed to deliver council homes for social rent and to support improvements to public spaces and the estate environment.

This approach allows the Council to deliver new council homes while keeping the overall project financially viable.

Will any existing homes be demolished?

The current proposals focus on building new homes on underused sites across the estate, such as garages, depot buildings and other service areas.

Existing homes on the estate are not proposed for demolition as part of this programme.

How tall will the new buildings be?

The proposed building heights vary depending on the location across the estate.

As part of the design development, the project team has worked to ensure that building heights respond to the surrounding buildings and minimise impacts such as overshadowing and overlooking.

In general, the proposals ensure that new buildings do not exceed six storeys, and in some areas the heights step down to respond to neighbouring homes.

Further details are available in the plans and drawings provided as part of this engagement.

Why have the designs changed since earlier engagement?

The proposals have been updated as the project has developed.

In particular, the designs have been reviewed to respond to:

• updated building regulations introduced in 2024 following the Grenfell Tower tragedy
• construction costs which have increased significantly in recent years

These updates are intended to ensure that the proposals meet current safety standards and can be delivered within current cost conditions.

Why has the number of council homes for social rent changed?

The proposals have been reviewed in response to updated building regulations and significant increases in construction costs.

As a result, the number of council homes for social rent proposed within the scheme has been reduced from 98 to 90 homes to ensure that the project remains financially viable.

The proposals currently include 90 council homes for social rent.

What is meant by “resolution to grant planning permission”?

A resolution to grant planning permission means that the Council’s Planning Committee has agreed in principle to approve a planning application, subject to certain conditions and legal agreements being completed.

The first phase of the De Beauvoir Estate programme received resolution to grant planning permission in 2022.

What stage is the project currently at?

The proposals are currently at the pre-planning stage.

This engagement activity provides residents and local stakeholders with an opportunity to view the latest proposals and share comments before planning applications are submitted.

Will I be able to formally object to the plans?

Yes.

If planning applications are submitted, there will be a statutory planning consultation where residents and stakeholders can submit formal comments to the Council’s Planning Service.

All comments submitted through the planning process are considered as part of the planning decision.

What can this engagement influence?

This engagement is intended to provide information about the proposals and allow residents to raise questions or highlight issues the project team should be aware of before planning applications are submitted.

Feedback may help inform:

• how information about the proposals is presented
• issues the project team should consider ahead of planning submission
• aspects of the estate environment residents feel are particularly important

Some aspects of the proposals are influenced by factors such as planning policy, building regulations and financial viability, which means there may be limits to the changes that can be made.

What happens after this engagement?

Following this engagement period:

• feedback will be reviewed by the project team
• proposals may be finalised for submission
• planning applications may be submitted

If planning applications are submitted, the Council’s Planning Service will carry out a statutory planning consultation, during which residents and stakeholders will be able to submit formal comments.

Who makes the final decision on the planning application?

Planning applications are determined through the formal planning process.

The local planning authority considers planning policy, consultation responses and other relevant factors before making a decision.

The final decision may be made by planning officers or by the Council’s Planning Committee, depending on the nature of the application.

How can I stay informed about the project?

You can sign up to receive updates about the De Beauvoir Estate New Homes Programme through the form on this page.

Updates may also be shared through:

• letters to residents
• estate noticeboards
• community meetings
• the Council’s website.