Exploring Investment Opportunities in Leyton and Lea Bridge at Last Mile Roundtable

Waltham Forest roundtable at the Last Mile Conference: 17 October

Our curated breakfast roundtable at Last Mile focused on exploring the Leyton Framework and opportunities for mission-based working, exploring ideas to drive future investment and plans for Leyton and Lea Bridge as strategic industrial areas, building on the overall masterplan and success stories in the borough.

The panel consisted of representatives from the public and private sector and delved into key considerations for development and land use in the industrial areas of the borough: Argall Industrial Estate, Blackhorse Road and Upper Lea Valley more widely. A golden thread of the conversation was the importance of balancing industrial growth with community needs and sustainability. Of note was the strategic imperative of creating a cohesive development plan, considering varying demands across London, especially in areas with housing zones and communities, and the value of engaging with investors for growth; vital to evolving and creating a sense of total place.

The need for flexibility in long-term planning was emphasised, with examples like Blackhorse Road being used as a template for industrial master planning. There was also discussion on how to accommodate both large businesses and smaller creative makers, playing to the urban fabric of areas and the availability of different spaces needed, plus building on the evolution of the Creative Enterprise Zone and complimentary clusters of businesses which have emerged. Waltham Forest’s legacy from the Borough of Culture has long been heralded as a driver of this creative growth, which has led both grassroots and collaborative projects such as new emerging innovation hubs and clusters.

The shrinking land supply and challenges in balancing housing needs with industrial growth were also highlighted, along with the importance of zoning policies and the crucial need for high quality infrastructure and transport in evolving communities. Sustainability, flexibility in planning policies, and the integration of green and blue spaces were emphasised as important factors in future developments. Along with accessibility to power supplies and the increasing opportunities to explore further sustainable energy solutions (such as heat transfer) in supporting industrial development.

This discussion chimed well with key notes from the conference, highlighting the growing demand for industrial spaces in the UK, driven by rising rent and the need for modern warehouses. While there were discussions about market instability making investors hesitant overall, there is a strong case for continued investment in major sectors. Government support is crucial, with calls for better planning through the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and the Government's new industrial strategy focusing on critical infrastructure and eight high-growth sectors:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Clean energy industries
• Creative industries
• Defence
• Digital and technologies
• Financial services
• Life sciences
• Professional and business services