The Highway, London E1
Development planning
Unlocking Potential in a Complex Urban Context
At AZ Urban Studio, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in securing planning permission for the transformation of a constrained triangular site at the junction of The Highway and Ensign Street. Designed by the talented team at Platform 5 Architects, this project demonstrates how thoughtful urban design can deliver much-needed housing, including affordable homes, alongside dynamic commercial spaces.
By overcoming significant planning challenges, the development contributes to meeting London’s housing needs while enhancing the vibrancy and liveability of the local area.
The Vision
The site has been derelict for many years, but planning permission has now been secured to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use development. The project delivers an innovative combination of housing and commercial spaces, while upgrading the historic alley to improve accessibility to the adjacent open space and enhance the area’s connectivity.
Key Features of the project:
- Housing: 24 homes, including five affordable units, ensuring a diverse and inclusive community.
- Mixed-Tenure Housing: A balanced approach that offers opportunities for people from different backgrounds and income levels to live and thrive together.
- Commercial floorspace: Ground-floor spaces designed for flexible commercial use, activating the streetscape and energising the local area.
- Architectural Innovation: A five-to-eight-storey building that makes the most of every inch of the site without compromising on design or liveability.
- Innovative amenity space: Despite the constrained site, the project includes several innovative areas for amenities, including roof space and a designated children’s play area at the first-floor level.
Design Excellence by Platform 5 Architects
The design process was led by Platform 5 Architects, an award-winning practice, renowned for creating elegant designs with conceptual clarity.
In The Highway project, their design excellence is evident through:
- Space Optimisation: Efficient layouts that maximise liveability for residents and functionality for businesses.
- Resident-Centric Amenities: Shared spaces that promote community and well-being.
- Sustainability in Action: Incorporating eco-friendly materials and systems to create a greener, more resilient development.
Planning Complexities
Delivering planning permission for The Highway required addressing a range of technical and policy challenges, given the site’s location and context. Key issues included:
- Heritage Sensitivity: Situated in a historic part of East London, the site required careful consideration of its impact on nearby listed buildings and conservation areas.
- Transport and Accessibility: As a prominent site on The Highway, traffic management and pedestrian access were significant concerns.
- Environmental Considerations: Addressing air quality, noise, and urban greening was crucial.
AZ Urban Studio’s experience in navigating complex planning consideration ensured these issues were resolved collaboratively and efficiently, securing permission for a transformative scheme.
Collaborating for Success
The Highway’s success is rooted in the seamless collaboration of a talented team of consultants and experts.
Our Role at AZ Urban Studio:
AZ Urban Studio led all aspects of the planning process, including advising on strategy, procuring sub-consultants, public engagement and coordinating the planning application and negotiations with the LPA. In addition, we advised on the architectural selection and overarching planning strategy related to site design.
- Strategic Leadership: Delivering planning strategy and guidance to optimise the development potential.
- Community Engagement: Building local support through meaningful consultations.
- Team Coordination: Managing a multidisciplinary group of specialists to ensure the project’s success.
A Landmark for Mixed-Tenure Living
Beyond its architectural and planning achievements, The Highway is a statement of London’s commitment to mixed-tenure living. By providing affordable homes alongside private housing, this development supports a more inclusive urban community where people from all walks of life can live, work, and grow.
This project exemplifies AZ Urban Studio’s dedication to unlocking the potential of urban spaces, delivering projects that balance creativity, practicality, and community benefit.
Details of similar mixed use projects is available here.
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Unlocking Potential in a Complex Urban Context
At AZ Urban Studio, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in securing planning permission for the transformation of a constrained triangular site at the junction of The Highway and Ensign Street. Designed by the talented team at Platform 5 Architects, this project demonstrates how thoughtful urban design can deliver much-needed housing, including affordable homes, alongside dynamic commercial spaces.
By overcoming significant planning challenges, the development contributes to meeting London’s housing needs while enhancing the vibrancy and liveability of the local area.
The Vision
The site has been derelict for many years, but planning permission has now been secured to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use development. The project delivers an innovative combination of housing and commercial spaces, while upgrading the historic alley to improve accessibility to the adjacent open space and enhance the area’s connectivity.
Key Features of the project:
- Housing: 24 homes, including five affordable units, ensuring a diverse and inclusive community.
- Mixed-Tenure Housing: A balanced approach that offers opportunities for people from different backgrounds and income levels to live and thrive together.
- Commercial floorspace: Ground-floor spaces designed for flexible commercial use, activating the streetscape and energising the local area.
- Architectural Innovation: A five-to-eight-storey building that makes the most of every inch of the site without compromising on design or liveability.
- Innovative amenity space: Despite the constrained site, the project includes several innovative areas for amenities, including roof space and a designated children’s play area at the first-floor level.
Design Excellence by Platform 5 Architects
The design process was led by Platform 5 Architects, an award-winning practice, renowned for creating elegant designs with conceptual clarity.
In The Highway project, their design excellence is evident through:
- Space Optimisation: Efficient layouts that maximise liveability for residents and functionality for businesses.
- Resident-Centric Amenities: Shared spaces that promote community and well-being.
- Sustainability in Action: Incorporating eco-friendly materials and systems to create a greener, more resilient development.
Planning Complexities
Delivering planning permission for The Highway required addressing a range of technical and policy challenges, given the site’s location and context. Key issues included:
- Heritage Sensitivity: Situated in a historic part of East London, the site required careful consideration of its impact on nearby listed buildings and conservation areas.
- Transport and Accessibility: As a prominent site on The Highway, traffic management and pedestrian access were significant concerns.
- Environmental Considerations: Addressing air quality, noise, and urban greening was crucial.
AZ Urban Studio’s experience in navigating complex planning consideration ensured these issues were resolved collaboratively and efficiently, securing permission for a transformative scheme.
Collaborating for Success
The Highway’s success is rooted in the seamless collaboration of a talented team of consultants and experts.
Our Role at AZ Urban Studio:
AZ Urban Studio led all aspects of the planning process, including advising on strategy, procuring sub-consultants, public engagement and coordinating the planning application and negotiations with the LPA. In addition, we advised on the architectural selection and overarching planning strategy related to site design.
- Strategic Leadership: Delivering planning strategy and guidance to optimise the development potential.
- Community Engagement: Building local support through meaningful consultations.
- Team Coordination: Managing a multidisciplinary group of specialists to ensure the project’s success.
A Landmark for Mixed-Tenure Living
Beyond its architectural and planning achievements, The Highway is a statement of London’s commitment to mixed-tenure living. By providing affordable homes alongside private housing, this development supports a more inclusive urban community where people from all walks of life can live, work, and grow.
This project exemplifies AZ Urban Studio’s dedication to unlocking the potential of urban spaces, delivering projects that balance creativity, practicality, and community benefit.
Details of similar mixed use projects is available here.
