Planning granted for 91 new affordable homes in Islington’s York Way Estate
A scheme to provide new affordable homes and community centre on the York Way Estate for the City of London Corporation (City Corporation), has been granted unanimous planning approval by Islington Council.
In response to the urgent demand for social housing, the City Corporation has been reviewing all of their housing estates across London to establish where they can provide new homes.
The York Way Estate was identified by the City Corporation to deliver more social housing for local people. Grant funding from the Greater London Authority has been secured to support 91 additional social homes on the estate. Islington Council have received nomination rights on half of all news homes.
Our team worked closely with a Residents Steering Group and existing residents to establish an understanding of the exiting estate and residents’ concerns and aspirations for the future development. A ‘Residents Design Brief’ was developed to set out key priorities and resident-led guidelines and formed the starting point for design proposals to sensitively integrate new homes into the well-established community.
The scheme will deliver comprehensive estate-wide landscape improvements and new play spaces designed by Erect Architecture, for existing and new residents.
‘The current landscape is predominantly characterised by informal open ‘greens’ and hard landscaped areas dominated by parking and vehicular access. The greens are well used, and the scheme has been designed to retain and enhance the sense of openness. New buildings have been positioned to respect the existing resident’s access to daylight and long views, providing 100% dual aspect, 100% affordable homes.’ Colin Wharry, Associate, Maccreanor Lavington.
New buildings respond to and compliment the language of the York Way Estate, while being contemporary in their material and expression. Contrasting brickwork is used as the primary material, with precast inset corner balconies making reference to the banding of the existing estate buildings.
A new community centre and estate management office is proposed on the site of the existing community centre. A life-size, cast iron Bull sculpture is located on top of the Community Centre Hall, marking the heart of the Estate. The bull celebrates the former use of the site as the Metropolitan Cattle Market and looks towards the listed Caledonian Clock Tower.
