Hackney Council has launched a major tender for a design-and-build contractor to spearhead a £150 million regeneration of the De Beauvoir Estate in east London. The ambitious project aims to deliver more than 300 new homes across ten underused infill sites within the estate, marking a significant investment in addressing local housing needs. The selected contractor will undertake responsibilities from design development through to regulatory compliance, including the submission of a Section 73 planning application and preparation of the Building Safety Act Gateway 2 pack. The contract, running for four years from September 2026, will utilise a pre-construction services agreement based on the newly amended JCT 2024 PCSA contract. Up to five contractors will be shortlisted following a competitive two-stage procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023.
This initiative forms part of Hackney Council’s broader Housing Supply Programme, designed to increase housing availability and improve neighbourhood conditions. Of the 341 homes planned, approximately 45% are earmarked as affordable housing, including 90 homes specifically allocated for social rent. The development will also incorporate public realm upgrades and improve estate routes, fostering a more connected and pleasant environment for residents. Hackney Sales, the council’s in-house sales team, will oversee marketing of the shared ownership and private sale units, while the social rent homes will be prioritised for allocation to households on the borough’s waiting list, with a key focus on existing estate residents.
The regeneration project has been phased, with the first phase involving five sites delivering roughly 189 new homes. The second phase will add another 120 homes distributed across four new buildings. The development includes multiple demolitions such as depots, Trinity Court, and neighbourhood offices which have been cleared to make way for the new construction. Planning permission for the first phase was granted in July 2022, affirming the council's commitment to modernising the estate’s housing stock and facilities. This phase comprises blocks of six storeys and a four-storey terrace, designed to provide suitable, genuinely affordable homes that reflect community needs.
Beyond housing, the scheme includes enhancements to public spaces and the establishment of a new neighbourhood housing office and affordable workspace, reinforcing a focus on community infrastructure. These non-residential components were guided by a comprehensive Non-Residential Space Strategy commissioned by Hackney Council, which analysed local socio-economic provisions and aimed to create a "15-minute neighbourhood" where residents have easy access to essential amenities. This approach also considered potential commercial uses and social value, ensuring that the development supports both economic and communal vitality.
The regeneration plan, which has sparked some local concerns around the loss of mature trees, represents a multi-million-pound effort to uplift this 1970s estate. While some residents expressed apprehensions about environmental impacts, the council has emphasised the balance between delivering much-needed affordable housing and improving overall urban quality. No existing homes on the estate will be demolished to make way for the new developments; instead, underused or obsolete buildings will be replaced with high-quality residential spaces and enhanced green areas, including new play spaces designed to benefit families.
Overall, the De Beauvoir Estate regeneration embodies Hackney’s strategic commitment to expanding council housing, upgrading neighbourhood amenities, and fostering a sustainable and inclusive community. The tendering process for the construction contract closes on 21 November, progressing the council’s vision of creating a revitalised estate that meets modern standards for living, affordability, and environmental quality.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (Construction News)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Construction News), [2] (PBC Today)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (Construction News), [3] (Hackney News)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (Construction News), [4] (Tibbalds), [7] (Architecture00)
- Paragraph 5 – [5] (Hackney Citizen), [6] (Hackney Citizen)
- Paragraph 6 – [1] (Construction News), [2] (PBC Today), [3] (Hackney News)
Source: Noah Wire Services