Context
The project, situated in Tottenham Hale aimed to create high quality, fully
serviced, short lease ‘incubator’ business space in an area
that had suffered industrial decline. It aimed to retain and attract
skilled local people and create a business environment capable of
encouraging and sustaining inward investment that otherwise might normally
commute from the area into central London.
Additionally the project aimed to increase the previously low annual
visitor towpath in comparison to similar sites to increase the area’s
capacity to support more visitors and businesses. Prior to the inception of
the project surveys had indicated that local people had a high fear of
crime in an area of reduced activity along the waterway.
The project contributed to the regeneration of the Hale Wharf area within
the Tottenham international priority strategic site defined in the
Mayor’s Spatial Development Strategy / London Plan. The redevelopment
contributed to the achievement of the London Development Agency’s
economic growth target and the achievement of targets established by the
LDA’s Sustaining Success – Developing London’s Economic
Strategy.
Details
The project constructed two commercial barges and also refurbished a
further barge which provided economic and business infrastructure in a
sustainable manner and to a high quality of design, appropriate to the
waterway and its surroundings.
The project supported sustainable development aims and was fully compliant
with the requirements of ‘British Waterways’, enhancing the
character of the waterway, the biodiversity of the area and encouraged and
exploited the public transport links and facilities around Tottenham Hale.
The project further ensured that the entire site would be accessible to
those with disabilities.
The project, given its provision of ‘unique’ accommodation to
attract businesses to the area was further consistent with the aims of the
LDA and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills of
‘supporting innovation’.
Impact
The refurbished barges provided 753m² of high quality and innovative
business space for use by local businesses and to support the regeneration
of both Hale Wharf and the character of the waterway in general.
In addition to the provision of business facilities, the project was also
successful in providing for the regeneration of 0.84 hectares of previously
derelict land and greatly increasing the biodiversity of the area.
