Westminster City Council has unveiled plans to build more than 1,700 new homes near Marylebone.

The housing will be developed in the Church Street area across nine regeneration sites over the next 15 – 20 years.

The transformation programme, which also builds on current development sites under way in or nearby the area, is part of the council's 'City for All' initiative. A total of 35% of the housing will be 'affordable' while existing council tenanted homes will be re-provided at social rent, with the option for all existing secure tenants to be re-housed in the scheme.

Other features of the 'masterplan' includes creating a greener environment, boosting the economy and employment opportunities as well as improving access throughout the area by balancing the relationship between pedestrians, cars and bicycles.

The initiative's four overarching themes include;


Health and Well-being

• Up to 40% increase in publicly accessible open space

• A health and well-being hub

• A new community hub

Homes

• Around 1,750 new homes, which includes

• Re-provided homes for existing tenants at social rent

• Additional new homes - 35% will be affordable

Market and Enterprise

• Improved street market with up to 220 stalls, 150 van parking spaces, 3,600m² storage facilities

• Affordable and flexible workspace and business support facilities

• A new cultural quarter centred around the antiques market and Cockpit Theatre

• 3,500 construction – related jobs

• 530 retail jobs

• 7,000m² retail space provision

Making Connections

• A 20mph traffic calmed zone

• A new pedestrian priority street designed for Church Street market, pedestrians and cyclists which links Lisson Grove to Edgware Road

Cllr Rachael Robathan said: "Church Street is a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood and the masterplan looks to meet the needs of today's and future generations in the area.

"The proposals set out together are the council's largest regeneration scheme to date which will deliver over 1,700 new homes including 50% affordable housing overall, alongside new spaces and facilities for the community. Because of this, we genuinely want to understand the views of residents and local businesses so that they can continue to shape and influence their neighbourhood for the benefit of everyone who works and lives in this great part of Westminster."

A public consultation on the 'masterplan' is running until 29 October. To view the proposals, visit here.

(LM)