Homebase Walthamstow At Risk Of Closure Following Site Purchase

Developers have submitted a scoping report to Waltham Forest Council outlining plans for a major new housing development on and around the current Homebase site in Walthamstow.

According to the Waltham Forest Echo, a 1.76 hectare site in Fulbourne Road was purchased for £28 million in January of this year by developer Inland Homes.  

Inland Homes has developed a number of brownfield sites in London. At this stage no official planning request has been submitted, but in the scoping report sent to the council in April, the developer advised of its intention to build 700 homes in several tower blocks on the Homebase site,  of up to 18 storeys each, 

The Walthamstow store is not currently on Homebase's list of closing branches - a Homebase spokesperson told the Waltham Forest Echo: “Staff have been informed of the plans. There are no current timings around store closure.”

The document states: “Proposals comprise demolition and clearance of existing structures on the site and the provision of up to 700 residential units in buildings up to 18 storeys.

“The development will be taller than development in the immediate surrounding area, however it will be well designed and will include landscaping proposals.

“Principal environmental effects will relate to the height of the new buildings associated with the development, however the design seeks to safeguard residential effects through careful design.”

The area in which Homebase is located forms part of what has been named locally by the council as the Forest Road corridor.  In the council's Local Plan 2020-2035, the area has been earmarked for the development of 1,250 homes, but this has document has yet to be officially approved.

Around 450 homes are expected to be built around the Grade-2 listed Waltham Forest Town Hall should the document gain approval.

A council spokesperson said: “There is significant opportunity for growth and regeneration in the area which includes quality new homes… New development should build on the existing character, including heritage and cultural assets of the area.”

The potential development has already attracted criticism from locals, not least because it is within half a kilometre of the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Source: Insight DIY Team

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