Big changes afoot in Hackney Wick as LLDC consults on regeneration plans

The Hackney Wick Conservation Area could be expanded as part of the LLDC’s plans

Thousands of new homes as well as two new primary schools could be built in Hackney Wick as part of plans by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) that could bring big changes to the area.

Wick is reputedly home to the highest concentration of artists in Europe, and the LLDC has commissioned consultants Renaisi to talk to workers in the creative industries about their views on the regeneration scheme.

Inhabitants of some of the formerly derelict warehouses that dominate the area have been given notice to quit and are planning big farewell parties.

Hackney Council is also being consulted on the plans and has produced a report stating 1,500 new homes could be built in Wick, which is split between the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney.

However, the LLDC is keen to reduce the amount of affordable housing it is required to provide in the Hackney portion of the area.

The report states the organisation is “seeking to renegotiate the target proportion of affordable housing across East Wick from 38 per cent to 29 per cent, which indicatively means a reduction from 336 to 244 affordable units.”

A formal application for the scheme will be submitted to the LLDC, which is the planning authority for the area, next month.

The organisation is also currently consulting on whether to extend the Hackney Wick Conservation Area, which could mean more heritage buildings being saved.