Erith Park

Description

Regarded as unsafe, the existing inherently featureless open space at Larner Road was largely unusable by local residents, reflecting poorly on the perception of the existing estate. Regeneration of Erith Park set high aspirations for the landscape and public realm to deliver higher quality open space and play provision within a well-connected neighbourhood. The Dell is an area of local ecological importance on the North East boundary of the site. During Phase 1 and with the enthusiastic support of residents, this was opened up to provide an ecological amenity area for the new community. A brick wall previously screened the Dell from the road and many local people were barely aware that the site existed. The wall has been demolished and footpaths constructed to facilitate access. Some small pieces of play equipment and bespoke benches and a timber sculpture designed by a local artist have been installed to encourage visitors and add interest, while retaining the essentially wild nature of the space. The work was planned closely with Orbit's ecological consultant who has also advised on the ongoing management plan. The Dell was re-opened in Spring 2014 and is now well used. Alongside informal everyday use for walking, picnics and play, Orbit have held a Mid-Summer Magic event for the whole community and hosted several cream tea events. A pocket park next to the Dell includes a more traditional children's play area. The home zone, is a street designed to meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, children and residents and where the speeds and access of cars is reduced, providing residents with a social space where people can meet and where children can play safely. The home zone formed a key part of the character of Phase 1 and is now in use. It has been designed to act as the 'heart' of the community. This street is the hub of social interaction and a safe play space for young children. Whilst it provides car parking for residents and access for refuse collection and emergency vehicles, its character is not dominated by the needs of car users. Everyone has equal status; allowing drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to negotiate their way through the space, in a way that promotes slow traffic speeds and driver awareness. Phase 2 will include 2 further multi-use streets. The nursery and community centre form a central hub and focal point located in the heart of phase 2. The design will become a visual beacon for the community by virtue of its distinctive design. These facilities will be open to the wider community and not just Erith Park residents. All houses contain a private garden to the rear, typical of traditional terrace housing. Apartments have a private balcony or, on ground level, a private garden space.

Planning History

The former Larner Road ex-council tower block estate was blighted by social problems. Built in the 1970s, the Larner Road estate transferred to national housing association Orbit in 1999. The bleak concrete podium, monolithic blocks, featureless public realm and high percentage of one bedroom flats and bedsits made the estate unpopular and challenging to manage. After consultation with residents and the wider community, and due to the poor condition of the existing buildings, it was decided that demolition and comprehensive redevelopment of the entire site was the most appropriate way forward. To ensure that the new development would meet the needs of the community it was decided to make 80% of the new homes affordable or shared ownership, and only 20% offered for private sale. In 2012 the borough approved the demolition of the estate to be replaced by Erith Park, a new community of mixed tenure affordable family homes. Orbit Homes appointed Wates Living Space as their delivery partner and together chose Broadway Malyan as architects. Phase 1 was started in 2013 and completed in 2015 with all homes now sold or let. Phase 2 received planning permission in 2015 with the first homes due to be ready in Summer 2017.