Welshpool Street car park and depot & Orwell Court garages

Overview

Keeping Hackney building – an invitation to discuss the opportunities for new Council homes at Orwell Court and Welshpool Street

Hackney is facing a severe shortage of genuinely affordable homes for local people. That’s why the Council has led the way in building a new generation of high-quality Council homes in the borough, prioritised for local residents who need a new home.

Between 2018 and 2022 the Council completed or started more than 1,500 new homes in Hackney, achieved despite getting almost no government funding. More than half of the Council’s new homes are genuinely affordable social rent Council homes, shared ownership homes or Hackney Living Rent homes, with affordable rents set according to local household income.

But still there is a need for more new homes. That’s why the Council is developing plans for new homes beyond 2022. This is part of Hackney’s ambition to build 1,000 new social rent Council homes over the course of the next four years.

Why your views matter

The areas around Orwell Court on the Suffolk Estate, and Welshpool House on Welshpool Street, is one of a number of locations in Hackney which could accommodate new homes without demolishing any existing homes. There is potential to replace the garages at Orwell Court, and car parking areas and the depot on Welshpool Street, with new Council homes. If these homes were to be built they would be prioritised for residents already living on the estate whose current home doesn’t meet their needs.

This location has also been identified because it could have the potential to unlock improvements to the wider estates or bring additional investment to benefit residents, such as through new community facilities or improved communal spaces. Any future plans will not just be about building new homes, but will look to improve the estates and neighbourhood for everyone.

There has been no decision taken about proceeding with new homes at this location, nor has any design work started. At this stage it is important to make sure you have access to all the information and the opportunity to discuss with the Council your thoughts about the location and how a development could help the wider area.

Below are the information boards that were on display during the consultation event on Tuesday 12 July. If you would like to download a copy of these boards please click here.

If you need any information on this website in a different format please email consultation@hackney.gov.uk We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.