Docklands News

Ideas to solve the housing shortage

18th September 2015

New London Architecture has collected 100 ideas from architects to solve the country's housing shortage by increasing the density of housing without harming the quality of resident's lives. The suggested solutions include floating homes on London's canals and rivers, building flats on top of hospitals, building over roads and railway lines and using empty space between and above existing buildings. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, and officials will consider 10 of the ideas.Lord Kerslake, chairman of the London Housing Commission, said: "The scale of the challenge is so big that we genuinely need some fresh thinking."
Evening Standard (16/09/2015)

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Only 10 affordable flats planned for ex-Met HQ

18th September 2015

Plans for the £1.2bn redevelopment of Ten Broadway, formerly the Metropolitan Police's HQ at New Scotland Yard, reveal that of the proposed 246 apartments only 10 will be classed as affordable housing. Westminster Labour councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said: "I would hope that even Westminster council will throw the proposals out and tell the new owners to come back with more affordable housing. They should be ashamed."

Evening Standard (16/09/2015)

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The Isle of Dogs has bite for buyers

11th September 2015

Ruth Bloomfield of the Evening Standard profiles the Isle of Dogs, a once semi-derelict area in London's East End that is now becoming a great location for first-time buyers, focusing on One Housing Group’s iCON development, under a mile from Canary Wharf and a five-minute walk from South Quay DLR station. Forty-two shared ownership flats in 14-storey, five-building block are currently on sale; guide prices start at £106,250 for a 25% share in a one-bedroom flat, rising to £163,750 for a three-bedroom house. Elsewhere in the Standard, Anthea Masey explores Blackheath in south-east London and says its art events, acres of green space and great schools make it a favourite for families seeking a relaxed way of life.

Evening Standard, Homes & Property (09/09/2015)

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How Crossrail could affect London property

11th September 2015

The Evening Standard's David Spittles explores how the Crossrail project has triggered a development boom in London. He also looks at the affect that "placemaking" schemes, in which builders and planners create community based assets, will have on property prices. Mr Spittles recommends Richmond Hill and the South Bank as being among the areas that will most benefit from this development. 

Evening Standard, Homes & Property (09/09/2015)

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Ferry across the Thames

11th September 2015

Plans for a commuter shuttle across the Thames linking Greenwich Peninsula with Canary Wharf have been drawn up by developers. They emerged after proposals for an £8.4bn revival of the “island” were given the go-ahead by Greenwich council earlier this week.

Evening Standard (10/09/2015)

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London businesses hit by high housing costs

11th September 2015

According to a new CBI poll, some 57% of London-based businesses said that the high cost and shortage of housing was affecting their ability to recruit staff for lower-paid jobs. Almost a third reported employees leaving their jobs because of the high costs of accommodation. The report, compiled with CBRE, also revealed that two-thirds of the company bosses said that building more affordable housing was "vital" for the continued growth of London's economy.

The Daily Telegraph (09/09/2015)

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