Homes Approved for Newham’s Innovative Green Airspace Housing Programme

Planning approval has been secured for 26 new affordable homes on top of two existing council blocks in East Ham and Stratford. How will the new programme help to bring existing blocks to modern environmental standards?

The airspace developments engineered by Newham Council’s housing company, Populo Living will deliver 26 London affordable rent homes on top of existing council blocks.

It aims to not only offer an innovative solution to the borough’s housing crisis but also help the Council tackle the climate emergency as part of its Just Transition climate plans.

18 additional homes will be available to those on the housing waiting list 

The planning approval marks another new milestone as part of the Council’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to tackle housing needs in the borough.

These new build homes will all be built to the highest standards ensuring that they are fuel efficient, environmentally sustainable, and help to keep bills down for residents.

It is said that the approved planning application for St Matthew’s Court in Stratford involves a two-story roof extension and a six-story side extension, delivering 18 additional homes to those on Newham Council’s housing waiting list.

The project will see the refurbishment of existing flats, the installation of external insulation, brick-over cladding, and the replacement of windows. This is aiming to significantly improve the building’s thermal performance.

New secure cycle parking and refuse storage facilities, along with hard and soft landscaping, will enhance open spaces around the site.

The homes are set to be completed in mid-2026

At Folkestone Road in East Ham, eight new one- and two-bedroom highly energy-efficient homes will also feature zinc cladding and recessed balconies, accompanied by enhancements to the existing building, including window replacements, thermal performance upgrades, external amenity space improvements, and landscaping with new tree planting.

The innovation airspace program was approved in Cabinet in December 2020 to explore the potential of building new affordable homes on existing Council blocks to enable much-needed new homes to be delivered quickly.

Following the first 26 homes now approved, Populo will look at other sites where this program could be delivered in Newham.

Beyond providing new affordable homes, the program includes upgrading existing blocks to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs for residents.

All new homes will be built to a net zero standard, utilising modern construction methods to expedite delivery and minimise inconvenience to neighbouring residents.

The new homes at St Matthews Court and Folkestone Road are due to start on-site in early 2025 with completions due in mid-2026.