04/10/2022
The partnership behind the Aberfeldy regeneration in Poplar scooped three prestigious national awards last week.
The project has won accolades for Best Housing Partnership at the British Homes Awards and Best Partnership for over 100 Homes at the Inside Housing Development Awards. The Aberfeldy Village scheme was also highly commended for Best Regeneration at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards.
The awards recognise the innovative joint venture between developer EcoWorld London and housing association Poplar HARCA to deliver quality homes and community spaces, co-designed by local residents.
In 2012, the Aberfeldy LLP was established as an ambitious partnership to transform Aberfeldy Village in Tower Hamlets.
10 years since the regeneration began, over 900 much-needed new homes have been completed alongside improved green spaces, to create a friendly, welcoming place which is clean, safe and secure, in response to priorities set out by the community. State-of-the-art facilities are due to open early next year – including a GP surgery, nursery, pharmacy, community centre and cafe in a new public square at the heart of the development.
The energy efficient new homes include a mix of social rent, shared ownership, private sale and private rent, with more larger family-sized homes helping to tackle overcrowding in the area and new home guarantees for existing residents.
As the first phase nears completion, the partnership has submitted a planning application for a new Aberfeldy masterplan, which would expand the successful scheme to provide 1,600 more homes plus new shops and workspace to support local businesses. It would also create better transport links for quicker, safer walking and cycling routes and improve road access, traffic and air pollution.
Extensive community engagement has included a 100-strong resident steering group and a Young People’s Manifesto developed with local schools to create a vision for the area for future generations. Innovative meanwhile projects have also seen shops on Aberfeldy High Street transformed with colourful murals and supported with rent-free periods, to maintain an active local hub throughout the development.
The new masterplan also won the award for Community Engagement at the Pineapple awards for placemaking earlier this year, in recognition of the partnership’s resident-led approach.
Paul Dooley, Director of Development and Regeneration at Poplar HARCA said: “For over a decade we have been working closely with our partners EcoWorld and residents to create real social value for our community and a sustainable neighbourhood that works for everyone.” He added:
