Final phase planned for Stratford Cross

Plans have been submitted for the final phase of Stratford Cross, with around 2,000 homes proposed alongside a new public park, retail space and improved connections in east London.

The application to the London Borough of Newham would introduce a substantial residential population to a development that has already become an established commercial, educational and cultural district alongside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The homes would span several tenures and forms of operational living, including affordable and market housing, purpose-built student accommodation and co-living.

The proposals have been brought forward through the Impact Partnership, the joint venture between Lendlease and The Crown Estate established to deliver mixed-use development across the UK. The partnership's first phase has the potential to provide up to 9,000 homes.

At Stratford Cross, the latest proposals represent the final stage of a development that has evolved considerably as the wider Stratford area has regenerated following the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Alongside the homes, the plans include a new public park, active ground-floor retail uses and enhanced walking and cycling routes connecting Stratford station, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The proposals were developed following consultation with local residents and stakeholders, with increased provision of green and publicly accessible space among the responses to community feedback.

Jason Oliver, Development Director at Lendlease, said: “Stratford has evolved into one of London's most dynamic destinations for culture, education, innovation and business.

“This final phase is about building on that success and creating a neighbourhood where people can live alongside the workplaces, institutions and attractions that have helped establish Stratford Cross as a unique part of east London.”

The residential phase will build on a cluster that already includes major commercial, cultural and educational uses.

The Turing Building provides a significant component of the commercial offer, with Arden University recently agreeing to take 94,000 sq ft within the development. Stratford Cross also sits alongside the East Bank cultural and education quarter and between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City.

Transport connectivity is another important component of the development proposition. Stratford station provides Elizabeth, Jubilee and Central line services alongside the DLR, National Rail and high-speed services.

The final phase would also continue the employment and training programmes associated with the development.

According to the project partners, Stratford Cross has generated £13.9 million in local construction wages to date and supported more than 7,700 local people through construction and operational employment, apprenticeships and training. A further £18.4 million of social value is reported to have been generated through the development.

The application comes as major regeneration projects increasingly seek to combine conventional housing with different forms of managed residential accommodation, reflecting changing demand for housing in highly connected urban locations.

At Stratford Cross, the proposed combination of market and affordable housing, student accommodation and co-living would bring those residential formats together within an existing employment, education and cultural destination.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the final phase is expected to begin in 2028 and take approximately three years to complete.