Community Hubs
Community Hubs
In April 2023, Redbridge Council's Cabinet took the decision to pause delivery of Gants
Hill and Hainault Community Hub. The rising costs of construction as a result of Brexit, Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the global economy have had a major impact on building projects across the country, and so in the short-term we are focusing on the delivery of Seven Kings Hub. As economic conditions improve, we can then look to move forward with others.
Seven Kings Community Hub
The Council has been working with local residents and stakeholders on plans for a new mixed-use development on the Seven Kings car park site since 2016. Together we developed an ambitious plan for a new community hub alongside (and partly funded by the sale of) more than 200 private and affordable homes. The hub will provide room and facilities for a wide range of community activities, alongside:
- Co-working space
- Community kitchen and café
- Seven Kings Library
- GP surgery
- Children's Centre
- Holistic health treatment rooms
- Several other council services including our social care team for the area.
Over 2,000 residents contributed to this vision and in 2023 a concept design was created for a 2,800sqm Community Hub.
Unfortunately, soon afterwards, the impacts of national and world events, including inflation, energy and construction cost increases and ever-increasing pressure on council budgets caused the council to pause its plans to develop the site directly. We have been working hard since then to procure a private-sector partner to step in to build their own mixed-use development, including the Community Hub.
As a result, changes are likely to have to be made to the existing plan for the layout and contents of the Hub. However, the co-design process to date and the Community Vision for change continue to be guiding principles for how we move forward.
Gants Hill Community Hub
New community vision focused on connection, beauty and safety
In Gants Hill as in Seven Kings, we've been working with residents, schools and local partner organisations to develop a vision for the future of Gants Hill, identifying what people care about most and how we can work together to make it happen.
The key themes identified by residents for the Seven Kings area are connected, beautiful, vibrant, youthful and safe.
Gants Hill Hub is currently paused.
Full Gants Hill community vision document
Summary Gants Hill community vision
Hainault Community Hub
Stage 1 report and cost of living support
Early this year, we completed the Stage 1 report for the Hainault Hub scheme.
The report identifies a set of 'design principles' produced by local residents, which will inform future plans for the site. Working with Hainault Forest Community Association and a range of local partners and independently selected residents, we explored the proposed site, the planning context and what residents feel will be most important to prioritise in future designs.
Hainault Hub is currently paused.
