2022: A Year in Review

Despite the many obstacles and challenges that 2022 has thrown up, Populo Living is incredibly proud of everything we have achieved over the last 12 months – delivering 175 homes and completing five projects. Populo now has 475 homes in management, 51% of which are new affordable homes. The quality of our homes has been widely recognised, as we continue to be an integral part of Newham’s housing delivery strategy.

Here are just some of the milestones we’re proud to have achieved this year:

In August we were delighted to submit the Carpenters Estate outline masterplan to the LLDC planning authority. The Carpenters Estate Outline Masterplan, one of the largest planning applications submitted in London since the pandemic, will deliver 2152 high quality and sustainable homes with 50 percent at social rent.

As part of the Council’s climate emergency response, 314 existing homes (44 percent) on the estate will be restored to the highest green economy standards ensuring all existing council tenants, homeowners, and those with a right to return can remain on the Estate. Read more here...

Populo Team grows to 42



We’re delighted to have grown the Populo Living family. We now have a number of new roles including in Finance, Governance, Community Wealth Building and more. We have two new Directors with Hardeep Bhermi in Finance and Resources and John Joannou in Assets, Customer Services and Populo Homes. We were also delighted Steve Quartermain (former Chief Planner) has stepped up as our Acting Chair. See the team here...

James Riley Point proposal approved by LLDC Planning Committee



Our plans to restore James Riley Point on the Carpenters Estate in Stratford were approved by London Legacy Development Corporation, in May. This will see 136 modern homes refurbished to modern sustainable standards, with 94 percent at social rent and London Affordable Rent, alongside a new state-of-art community and sports centre. The decision marks the first phase of ambitious Carpenters Estate restoration and regeneration programme. With work due to start early in the new year. Read more here...

Completions

In contention for Best Affordable Housing Development

We started the year with the completion of our first major mixed tenure development at the Didsbury, in the heart of East Ham. Providing 148 high-quality, energy efficient homes including 71 at London Affordable rents – with a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments. Read more here...

Helping residents live in modern mansion blocks

We were delighted the Mayor was able to help us welcome residents who had been on the Council’s waiting list with the keys to their new homes on Baxter Road, Canning Town. Read more here...

Giving families a chance to own their own home





We also completed our first Shared Ownership scheme at The Eves to help local families onto the housing ladder. Find out more...

Turning small sites into affordable homes



Chargeable Lane is a former garage site that we’ve turned into 12 new homes for London Affordable Rent. The thoughtful design has made the most of the space, the six 3-bed and six 2-bed homes, all come with private courtyards.

Situated close to a school, recreation ground and neighbourhood shops, it’s an excellent location for family living. Find out more...

Progress on site

Topping out in the heart of the borough

In March, we were delighted the Mayor was also able to join us to mark the topping out of Plaistow Hub. This landmark development right next to Plaistow Station is providing 182 much needed homes and many new community facilities including a new library, neighbourhood centre, supermarket, gym, and café.

The project is also helping to fund 112 affordable homes across Newham. The scheme has also provided 52 apprenticeships (across three construction sites), eight two-year T-level placements as well as taking on 25 work experience students and 18% of the workforce being from the borough. Read more here...

Mayor marks the topping out of Town Hall annex



In October, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz ‘topped out’ at the old East Ham Town Hall annex – which originally built in 1939. When complete early next year, it will provide 40 one, two and three-bedroom homes for local people.

Work begins for later-living

The scheme offers an attractive choice of new homes for those looking to downsize. The homes are expected to be completed by early 2025. Find out more...

Largest Young Designers Group to date at the Dovetail



We know young people are the future of our borough. That’s why we held four workshops at The Dovetail our community hub on the Carpenters Estate with young people aged 15-19 from Stratford and the wider area, with the aim of exploring how different aspects of design could improve the neighbourhoods they live in.

Volunteering Day at the Carpenters



We also got hands-on volunteering on the Carpenters Estate yesterday by digging, planting, and pruning to promote local biodiversity and make a greener environment for residents.

Planning application submitted for Net Zero Pier Road, North Woolwich



Planning permission has been submitted for 348 sustainable high-quality homes (including 85 at Social Rent and 42 at London Affordable Rent levels) in Pier Road, North Woolwich. The development will be highly sustainable with a Net Zero carbon footprint over its lifetime. It will also deliver 20 ‘Makerspace’ studios - affordable workspaces for young creative professionals, along with a café. 

The year ahead…

Looking forward, 2023 is set to be another busy year for Populo. We’re due to complete over 300 new homes and commercial space at Plaistow Hub, Town Hall Annexe, and the Brickyard. We expect to be starting construction works on the first phase of the Carpenters with the refurbishment of James Riley Point early next year, and all things permitting at Pier Road by the end of 2023.

We also have major planning applications due for Cyprus and Stratford High Street alongside even more innovative projects across the borough.