HTA Planning secured permission for 55 new homes and a new community centre on the Redbrick Estate, enabling estate renewal through infill and intensification. Over 70% of the homes are affordable, delivered alongside significant public realm improvements. The planning strategy addressed anti-social behaviour, retained key open spaces, and ensured relocated services were properly re-provided – all shaped through extensive community consultation.
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Redbrick Estates
Planning consent for 55 new homes and a community centre shaped by community engagement and creative site utilisation
One Place, Many Stories
Planning
HTA Planning led the successful application for 55 additional homes and a new community centre at the Redbrick Estate, intensifying an inner London estate while preserving its social infrastructure and open space. The approach focused on rationalising low-quality garages and underused buildings to unlock new housing opportunities.
A key strength of the application was its affordable housing offer – 39 of the 55 new homes were secured as affordable, exceeding policy targets and addressing a pressing local need. The site’s proximity to Old Street supported a taller element, with a 9-storey building incorporated alongside smaller infill developments to create a balanced and contextually responsive form.
Extensive consultation with residents shaped the proposals throughout. Planning played a critical role in managing the parallel consent process for off-site relocation of existing estate services. This included a local dentist and Spectrum, a youth-focused recording studio – both were re-provided to meet local needs, with HTA successfully justifying the change of use and continuity of provision.
Beyond housing, the planning strategy was designed to reduce anti-social behaviour. Clearer estate gateways and improved lighting supported a safer and more defined public realm, while protected open spaces – designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) – were retained and enhanced.
The result is a consented scheme that intensifies the estate sensitively, preserves vital community infrastructure, and strengthens the identity and function of the neighbourhood.
