A planning framework which will deliver more than 25,500 new homes and create up to 65,000 jobs at Old Oak and Park Royal has been approved and adopted by the Mayor of London.
Old Oak in West London is set to become a new home to a world-class High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail Station by 2026, handling 250,000 passengers a day and acting as a super hub between London and the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.
The Mayor believes this presents the opportunity to create tens of thousands of new homes and could provide almost 14 per cent of Greater London’s employment needs up to 2031, with early estimates of a £7bn annual contribution to the UK economy.
The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation was launched by the Mayor in April and will drive the planning and regeneration of the site that straddles the London boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent and Ealing.
Earlier this year, the Mayor published an Opportunity Area Planning Framework for consultation, which sets out his long-term vision for the area. Following the conclusion of that consultation, the Mayor has now approved the document which sets the strategic planning direction for the area.
Sir Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Chairman of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, said: “London urgently needs new homes and commercial space to meet its ever growing population and there can be no doubt that the regeneration of Old Oak represents a real opportunity to meet those needs. This strategy will mean we can plan for the future of this vast site as we work to create a new, thriving and sustainable part of the capital, where people will love to live, work, play and visit.”
The planning framework aims to:
- Create a new urban neighbourhood at Old Oak, supporting a minimum of 24,000 new homes with an additional 1,500 in non-industrial locations in Park Royal.
- Plan for the new High Speed 2/Crossrail and National Rail interchange to regenerate the area and contribute significantly to London’s competitiveness.
- Support the creation of 55,000 new jobs at Old Oak and a further 10,000 at Park Royal.
- Protect and enhance Park Royal as a strategic industrial location.
- Ensure new development safeguards nearby amenity assets such as Wormwood Scrubs and the Grand Union Canal.
- Work with communities, residents and businesses to realise the strategy
The Mayor has identified 38 Opportunity Areas across the capital. Opportunity Areas are London’s major source of brownfield land with significant capacity for new housing, commercial and other development linked to existing or potential improvements to public transport accessibility. By establishing Opportunity Areas, and working closely with London boroughs and partner agencies, the Mayor will be best able to deliver significant social and economic regeneration.