Hackbridge Regeneration
The Hackbridge Regeneration is a major regeneration plan in Hackbridge within the London Borough of Sutton. The regeneration consists of a £150 million pound development on the Felnex site. This includes a development by Taylor Wimpey of new flats and a local Sainsburys; the regeneration of a council estate with a mix of council and private properties beside the River Wandle; and the knocking down of prefabs and building of new homes. Smaller scale projects include new pavements, new shop fronts and trees.
Felnex site
In early 2013 Felnex was granted planning permission by the London Borough Of Sutton. The project will consist of a large foodstore with flats above. The site will have 725 new homes. The site will also have new shops as well as public square. The site will also have a care home and doctors surgery. The site is one of the largest regeneration schemes in London. The site is a million square foot and being developed by Schroders. The site is to be completed in 2016 and construction work started in early 2014.
Saxon House (Hackbridge Corner)
This is a large block of apartments built in 2012 by homebuilders Taylor Wimpey. A small Sainsbury's Local supermarket now occupies the retail space below the flats. This was one of the first plans in the regeneration scheme.
Corbet Close
Demolition of the four blocks of flats (No.'s 1 to 72) commenced in July 2015 and completed in November 2015.
Rydon will soon commence the erection of 54 private tenure homes as follows:
- 10 x 2-bedroomed houses
- 29 x 3-bedroomed houses
- 15 x 4-bedroomed houses
The development will include the following improvements and facilities: provision of cycle and refuse storage, 55 car parking spaces, new vehicular and pedestrian access, and play facilities and associated landscaping including improvements to The River Wandle and Wandle trail. For further information, refer to the London Borough of Sutton Planning Department Online Planning Portal - planning application No. C2012/66014. The Cadet Hut is also to be demolished and replaced with two 4 bed detached dwellings with integral garage. For further information, refer to the London Borough of Sutton Planning Department Online Planning Portal - planning application No. C2014/69942
Nightingale Close
Demolition of existing post war prefabs and erection of 25 new dwellings (all affordable housing):
- 7 x 2-bedroomed houses
- 16 x 3-bedroomed houses
- 2 x 4-bedroomed houses
The development will also benefit from the following improvements and facilities: 31 parking spaces, cycle and refuse facilities, realignment of access road and landscaping. For further information, refer to the London Borough of Sutton Planning Department Online Planning Portal. Planning application No. C2012/66351
Other Projects
In spring 2014 roadworks began by company R.J Dance to improve the Hackbridge corner pavements. The improvements which cost around £1 million were funded by the Greater London Authority and the London Borough Of Sutton. This is expected to improve footfall and improve the appearance of the pavements and the locality. The shops in Hackbridge were given new shop fronts to improve the feel of the area. The station was given a new access route for disabled people.
However, the removal of the two formal pedestrian crossings (zebras) and their replacement with six informal 'courtesy crossings', that have no legal status, are not mentioned in the Highway Code and many Road Safety groups consider to be dangerous on an A-road, have angered local residents, who have set up a campaign for these changes to be reversed and the formal pedestrian crossings to be reinstated.
Future Developments
There are plans to build new homes on an industrial estate further up the river in Hackbridge; however this has not yet been confirmed. Development looks likely to continue in Hackbridge. Developers are said to be looking to develop the Sutton business centre and build river side apartments.