Howells has been appointed as the masterplanner for a significant new residential development at Limmo Peninsula in East London. The project will deliver approximately 1,400 homes, with an ambition that around 40 percent will be designated as affordable housing. This development is managed by Places for People, the development arm of Transport for London (TfL), who recently appointed Ballymore as the new development manager for the site.

This strategic move marks a change from a previous plan announced in 2019, where TfL had worked alongside Grainger and Denmark-headquartered CF Møller, which had been selected to design 1,500 homes. However, CF Møller has since closed its London office, and the reins have now been passed to Howells, a firm with notable experience working on nearby developments such as London City Island and Royal Wharf. Howells is expected to assemble a team of consultants in the coming months to finalise detailed plans that will not only include the homes but also new green open spaces and a river walkway connecting to Canning Town tube station.

The site itself spans five hectares and has a notable history, having been used during the construction of the Elizabeth line. At the Limmo Peninsula, tunnel-boring machines excavated vital connections for the line, which connects Reading, Shenfield, Heathrow, and Abbey Wood. The new development will therefore repurpose a key piece of infrastructure land in a way that supports London’s expansive housing needs while improving local amenities.

Planning applications for the Limmo Peninsula site are expected to be submitted next year, with construction targeted to begin in 2027 or 2028. The project is viewed as a crucial element in addressing the capital’s housing shortfall by delivering a substantial number of new homes within Greater London.

Ben Tate, head of property development at Places for London, described the Limmo Peninsula scheme as one of the most ambitious to date, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the private sector to maximise opportunities within TfL’s estate. Tom Copley, the deputy mayor of London for housing and residential redevelopment, welcomed the progress, emphasising the benefits of the development in providing high-quality homes, significant affordable housing, and enhanced connectivity through new green and cycle routes. According to Copley, the project aligns with the broader London mission to build more homes that genuinely meet the needs of the city's residents.

This development not only addresses pressing housing demands but also integrates sustainable urban design elements such as open green spaces and improved pedestrian and cyclist access, underpinning a vision of inclusive, connected communities. With Ballymore as the development manager, the partnership is expected to leverage experience gained from nearby large-scale projects to ensure this new development is delivered effectively.

As the Limmo Peninsula evolves from a former transport infrastructure site into a vibrant residential neighbourhood, it reflects London's ongoing efforts to optimise valuable land resources for the benefit of its growing population.

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Source: Noah Wire Services