Plans for the accelerated delivery of new homes on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park are a step closer as three bidders have been shortlisted to go forward to the next stage of the bidding process for the new neighbourhoods of East Wick and Sweetwater. 

They were chosen following proposals from six bidders who were long-listed in March this year. The six firms submitted outline proposals which were evaluated against criteria including design, delivery and commercial drivers.

The three final bidders will now enter into a period of detailed competitive dialogue meetings to formalise their proposals, which are expected to be submitted in September. The Legacy Corporation will then select a preferred bidder later in the autumn.

The Mayor of London and the London Legacy Development Corporation announced plans in July 2013 to accelerate the development with a view to completing in 2023, six years ahead of the original masterplan. 

The neighbourhoods of East Wick and Sweetwater will create up to 1,500 homes and will include private rented sector housing and much needed affordable homes.

The inclusion of private rented sector housing provides a wider choice and tenure mix, creating a vibrant new community on the west of the Park linking to existing communities in Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development, said: 

“The standard and quality of the Outline Solutions received was extremely high and LLDC has undertaken a thorough evaluation process to arrive at the shortlist. The shortlisted three bidders have the potential to create vibrant new neighbourhoods connected to existing communities in Hackney Wick and Fish Island. We look forward to exploring the bidders’ detailed proposals in the next stage of the process. 

“We are entering the most exciting stage in the transformation of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The south of the Park opened to the public in April, work is underway on the first new neighbourhood, Chobham Manor, and our plans for a new civic quarter with high quality educational and arts institutions are taking shape. We are creating a new part of the city and these neighbourhoods will be at its heart.”

This opportunity is the next phase of the Legacy Communities Scheme which, as a whole, will create up to 6,800 homes across five new neighbourhoods, and create 4,000 jobs. 

The new neighbourhoods will be situated near the new digital quarter at Here East, which is being transformed into a world-leading centre of innovation, post graduate education and enterprise creating the potential for over 7,500 jobs.  With so much local opportunity, and some of the best transport links in London, East Wick and Sweetwater residents will be part of a unique community.

The creative communities of Hackney Wick and Fish Island are already seeing the benefits from the regeneration of east London – and there are plans for improved neighbourhood facilities created around a redeveloped Hackney Wick station, and an enhanced public realm. These improvements, along with a dynamic and constantly evolving creative scene with its cafés, bars and gallery spaces, make the area a great place in which to live, work and socialise. 

East Wick

• Up to 870 new homes
• Located in the north-west of the Park next to Hackney Wick and Here East
• Townhouses, mews, studios and flats
• New primary school and two new nurseries
• Floor space will consist of up to: 
  • 91,000sqm residential
  • 9,000sqm employment space
  • 5,600sqm community
  • 4,700sqm retail and leisure 

Sweetwater 

• Up to 650 new homes
• Located in the south-west of the Park near Old Ford and the Copper Box Arena
• Studios, flats and family homes with private gardens
• New primary school and two new nurseries and a health centre
• Floor space will consist of up to: 
  • 67,700sqm residential
  • 1,000sqm employment
  • 8,400sqm community
  • 2,500sqm retail 

 
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Notes to Editors: 

An indicative CGI of the new neighbourhoods of East Wick and Sweetwater can be downloaded here.