Chester Road and Balmore Street

Background

This 1970s estate included 25 homes and 12 commercial units many of which had been empty for some time. The blocks were in poor condition and would have been difficult and expensive to refurbish.

Planning permission to demolish the buildings and redevelop the site was granted in March 2011.

When completed, the 53 home development will be the UK’s largest residential scheme so far to meet the Passivhaus Standard. Passivhaus means that the homes will be super insulated and have a high level of air tightness, requiring ultra low levels of energy for heating.  The result will be lower energy bills for residents.

• Passivhaus website

The new homes will be a mixture of affordable rented council housing, shared ownership, and market sale. Part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, these will be the first new homes built by Camden since 1999.

Original tenants have been given the option to return to the estate when the new homes are finished.

The design for the new homes was developed by Rick Mather Architects.

What’s happening now?

Willmott Dixon is the main contractor for the development. We anticipate completion of the new build in the first half of 2013.

At the start of 2011 we carried out a local survey and recieved nearly 700 responses. The report based on our findings has helped to inform the mis of retail on the site.The Chester Balmore retail proposal now comprises of:

• A convenience store/grocery store of 165sq.m (104sq.m front of house) to include the sale of fresh fruit and vegtables
• A bakery; to include a tea/coffee area (47 sq.m)
• Brookfield Park Surgery (215sq.m over two floors), and
• A pharmacy (40sq.m)

Next steps

Relocation of Brookfield Park Surgery is subject to formal confirmation of Camden Primary Care Trust's support and subject to a favourable revision of the current planning permission that would allow the doctor's surgery to replace the planned dental surgery.

If relocation of Brookfiled Park Surgery to Chester Balmore does not go ahead, we will further review the retail study to identify alternative options and present a new proposal to the local community at a later date.

The council will be inviting expressions of interest from retailers for the other commercial spaces later this year.

Onsite camera

You can now watch progress through our onsite camera (you will need to enter the username: chesterrd and password ch3ster to watch).

Contact

• contact the estate regeneration team

Download the retail research executive summary or download the retail research full report

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Page last updated Dec 12, 2012 3:08 PM