There are lots of challenges when you look at residential architecture in London. For starters, there is a lack of large plots for new builds. Plus, there are many parts of the city with protection to preserve the character and heritage. Then there are worries about things like the environment, air quality, and impacts on local infrastructure and amenities. It can all make it tricky to boost the supply of housing.
Brownfield regeneration
One thing the Government has been doing is pushing for more Brownfield developments. They want this across England, not just in London. The goal here is to regenerate plots that are no longer in use or not making the best use of the land. What this will do is improve areas and boost the supply of housing and amenities. At the same time, it will protect green open spaces.
The Government has been pushing this kind of development by making funding available for projects. In total there is £180m to allocate here. An impressive £35m was given out in November 2022 to support 59 projects from 41 councils all over England.
Earlier this month it was revealed the next pot as part of this fund will be £60m. The Brownfield Land Release Fund aims to revive areas and build up to 6,000 new homes before March 2027.
Councils can now bid for funding from this pot. The end date for bids is 31st March 2023. Announcements will follow in the summer to say which projects will get funding.
RIBA’s response
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) were very happy with the details of the new funding. They support the need to create more housing and revitalise parts of England that have been suffering from neglect.
However, they also had a number of recommendations for the regeneration projects. Firstly, they state that they must meet the needs of the communities. As part of this developers should recognise the history of sites and the potential for the future. Some Brownfield plots have a huge amount of heritage, especially things like old industrial or commercial sites that would once have been employment hotspots. It is important to celebrate it.
In terms of new housing in particular, RIBA said it is vital the homes are high quality. They must be sustainable, desirable, and accessible. There is no point regenerating if it is the wrong type of housing, will exclude people, or will have a negative impact on the environment.
RIBA will support the Government and construction industry with any of these projects. Their focus here will be to make sure they achieve the best environmental standards and design quality.
Work with us to create residential architecture in London
Coffey Architects is also happy to see funding like this becoming available. We have experience with Brownfield development and know how great projects can be for local communities. It is also good because a wave of new developments could have a fantastic impact on the industry as a whole, especially if designs can prioritise the quality and environment.
If you are thinking about residential architecture in London in any way, we can help. Our team can work with you on regeneration or renovation, new builds, and much more. So, contact us today to let us know your ideas.