After 10-years of uncertainty and more noticeably, a big empty space, the future of Walthamstow’s Arcade site may be about to be settled.
Previously unsuccessful developers, St Modwen, have responded to a report by Waltham Forest Council and come back with a new plan for the spot on the corner of Hoe Street and the High Street. Their proposal suggests building a much smaller development than they had controversially planned in the past. If it goes ahead, some open space will remain, but this is to compensate for a possible loss of it elsewhere.
The council’s findings suggested building a smaller development because it could be completed quickly and the site has not proved as popular with retailers as they had hoped. Extending the Mall or building new retail spaces in the preferred location of the town-centre adjacent to the Mall is also to be considered. This would involve building on public space so it would require the council to amend its Interim Planning Policy Framework (IPPF) which currently forbids this.
St Modwen’s first attempt failed due to protest and economic crisis. They had planned to squeeze shops, homes and other community facilities into an 18-story tower block. Local concern about this plan spawned the Fight the Height campaign group who remain dubious that the new plans will be much of an improvement on the old. St Modwen’s lack of success led the council to propose a development using £30 million of taxpayer’s money. This idea also fell through.
“We haven’t seen any new plans, but we fear they will be for a faceless tower block like St Modwen’s previous plans” Caramel Quin of the anti high-rise group told Walthamstow Now. “That would be totally out of keeping for central Walthamstow. The council owns this land, so we hope councillors will work to ensure plans are appropriate, and give Walthamstow much-needed facilities, before letting St Modwen move forward” she said.
If St Modwen’s plans are this time deemed unacceptable the council will have to find an alternative developer. Fight the Height are keen to see the opportunity used to seek residents’ opinions before going ahead with a decision. The council has promised to hold a public consultation process, probably in September.
