Mixed reaction to plans for 354-flat Ilford development as council approves expansion

The outside of the blocks will now be 'more uniform' in appearance and the three small blocks will expand for the 22 extra flats.

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Tuesday, January 15, 2013
2:10 PM

The flat development planned to dominate Ilford Town Centre with a 23-storey tower will now be even bigger after councillors approved an extra 22 homes.

Redbridge Council’s regulatory committee unanimously approved the expansion to a total 354 apartments, including an extra storey on some flat blocks, on Monday.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Richard Hoskins, said: “One of the key things we highlighted is to keep the affordable housing.

“We ensured there will be screens between the overground parking and Roden Street so that will look a bit nicer.

“The covering on the blocks will now be uniform and a more simple design.”

The original application for the former Britannia Music site, in Roden Street, was approved in 2010 and it is hoped construction will start later this year.

But the development has provoked a mixed reaction among Redbridge residents.

A discussion on the Recorder website on last week’s report highlighted concerns about pressure on services.

Commenting via Facebook, Varinder Singh B said: “Why can’t ‘affordable housing’ be placed in the north of the borough where services can handle the additional population increase and strain?”

Brian Harris wrote: “We do not need another huge block of apartments.

“We are bursting at the seams as it is - without decent facilities.”

Ed Oliver commented: “Let’s hope these don’t become the slums of the future and end up being knocked down like the previous generation of tower blocks.”

Ian Levene compared the development to Pioneer Point, asking: “How many more white elephants does Ilford need?”

Developers are paying nearly £1million towards improving roads, transport, health services, employment and community infrastructure.

The cabinet member for regeneration and property, Cllr Thomas Chan, said: “Of course it will put pressure on some services but with our community infrastructure levy, I’m sure we will have the services and facilities to mitigate it.”