Vision
London’s most liveable urban village
We’re transforming South Woodford
From: a neighbourhood with poor provision of parks, playgrounds and public space, which prioritises cars over people, and lacks key local amenities
To: a green and active neighbourhood, which inspires people to walk and cycle, with a vibrant town centre filled with opportunities for the community to socialise.
By 2040, every resident will have easy access to an attractive greenspace, quality public space and a community hub, all within a 10-minute walk.
The Local Area
South Woodford is in northeast London in the Borough of Redbridge. It’s mostly residential, with a busy high street offering a wide range of shops alongside some heritage assets. The community is active, and both the city and Epping Forest are easily accessible. See the Redbridge Characterisation Study for further insights into the area.
Design Code Objectives
Our comprehensive engagement and community consultation resulted in two reports – Designing the future of South Woodford and Drilling down into the detail – and established four key design code objectives in shaping future development in South Woodford.
Greenspace
- Accessible and attractive greenspaces, which improve physical and mental health.
- Varying scales of nature, from greening bin stores to pocket parks.
- Planting which strengthens biodiversity, can thrive in a changing climate, and improves air quality.
Public space
- High-quality spaces that offer opportunities for people to sit, relax and connect.
- A lively neighbourhood, supporting the diverse community of South Woodford.
Walking & Cycling
- Celebrating the history and culture of George Lane, and the town centre.
- Clear and connected network of pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets.
- Reduced impact of motorised vehicles, improving views, access, air and noise pollution.
Amenities
- Increased play opportunities and recreational spaces, promoting a child- friendly and active neighbourhood.
- Daily needs met within a short walk.
- A welcoming hub to bring the community together.
Targets for 2024
The data gathered shows a significant deficit of greenspace, poor quality public space, shortfall of local amenities, and traffic domination within South Woodford. As a result, the community has set out the following ambitions. Each target is supported by best practice guidance.
By 2040
Greenspace
1.1 South Woodford* will have at least XXX hectares of publicly accessible greenspace, meeting the target of 3 hectares per 1,000 population.
South Woodford Neighbourhood Forum area population is 19,736. Currently, South Woodford has 25.5 hectares of total greenspace, 16.8 hectares of this are publicly accessible. This requires an additional XXX hectares.
1.2 Every resident will have access to an attractive greenspace of at least 0.02 hectares / 200 sqm (e.g. pocket park) within a 10-minute walk.
High need areas are highlighted in purple on this map >.
1.3 Key pedestrian routes (George Lane, Hermon Hill / Chigwell Road, A1199 High Road / Woodford Road, Viaduct) will achieve at least 40% canopy cover.
Currently South Woodford canopy cover ranges from 20.5%-31.3%. See map >
Public space
1.4 Every resident will have access to a quality public space within a 10-minute walk. As a minimum these spaces must be public, accessible, at least 7.5 sqm, and include seating provision for 3 or more people.
High need areas (click ‘Access to Public Open Space’) are highlighted in white on this map >.
1.5 Street furniture, and opportunities to sit, relax and connect, will be provided every 100m (or equivalent provision per km) along key pedestrian routes (George Lane, Hermon Hill / Chigwell Road, A1199 High Road / Woodford Road, Viaduct).
Baseline data is currently being collected.
WALKING & CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE (LESS CAR DOMINANCE)
1.6 Pedestrians will be prioritised in South Woodford town centre. This could be achieved by:
- Reducing George Lane to one carriageway (two-way traffic) along the Shrubberies
- Restricting width of carriageway on the Viaduct, and removing existing car parking spaces
- Dedicating 75% of the street between the Viaduct and Eastwood Road to pedestrians
- Creating a car-free zone between the Underground station and junction with Marlborough Road
- Creating a shared surface on George Lane between the Underground station and junction of Pulteney Road.
1.7 At least 25% of kerb space will be allocated for sustainable uses such as bus lanes, parklets, cycle parking, street trees and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
Permeable surfaces, including de-paving, greening, wildflowers and SuDS will make up at least 10%.
Baseline data is currently being collected.
1.8 Cycling infrastructure will be notably improved:
- Free cycle parking at least every 50m (or equivalent provision per km), on every street
- Secure cycle parking e.g cycle hangar, at least every 100m (or equivalent provision per km), on every street
- Borough-wide network of cycle hire locations no more than 10 minutes’ walk from every household.
Currently a residential car parking permit for 12 months is £22.50. A bikehangar space for 12 months is £72 + £25 refundable deposit. A bikehangar (holding up to 6 bikes) takes up half a car parking space.
Baseline data is currently being collected.
Note: Any alterations to existing infrastructure should maintain, or increase, the existing Town centre PTAL rating of 4. PTAL is a measure which rates locations by distance from frequent public transport services, with a scale of 0 (worst) to 6b (best). It takes into account walk access time and service availability.
AMENITIES
1.9 South Woodford will have at least XXX hectares of play and recreational areas, meeting the target of 1.6 hectares per 1,000 population.
Areas of deficit (click ‘Sports, Play and Active Recreation’) are indicated on this map >. Currently South Woodford has 0.28 hectares (Oakdale Play Area). This requires an additional XXX hectares.
1.10 Every resident will have access to a community hub within a 10 minute walk. We define a community hub as a multipurpose venue such as a community hall, medical centre, library, school, indoor or outdoor space that provides at least three different, high quality and cost effective services to the local community, with the potential to develop new services in response to changing community needs.
Northwest South Woodford has the highest need. See Fig 14: Civic Assets map on page 19 >
*‘South Woodford’ relates to South Woodford Neighbourhood Forum area. See boundary >
- Natural England (2023), Green Infrastructure Standards for England – Summary, p.20
- AzuKo (2022), Designing the future of South Woodford: Community consultation Aug-Oct 2022, p.9
- OCSI (2022), Local Insight profile for ‘South Woodford Neighbourhood Forum’ area, prepared for AzuKo 4 Greater London Authority (2023), 10 Minute Walk Map
- Greater London Authority (2023), 10 Minute Walk Map
- Fields in Trust (2020), CHAMPION: The ten-minute walk and why it’s important
- Ziter, C.D., et al (2019), Scale-dependent interactions between tree canopy cover and impervious surfaces reduce daytime urban heat during summer, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), vol. 116, no. 15, p.7575
- Sustrans (2020), What is a 20-minute neighbourhood?
- Department for Transport (2007), Manual for Streets, p.70
- Department for Transport (2007), Manual for Streets, p.28
- Landor LINKS (2023), Liveable Neighbourhoods, p.18
- Lambeth Council (2023), Lambeth Kerbside Strategy: Rebalancing priorities for Lambeth streets, p.29
- Lambeth Council (2023), Lambeth Kerbside Strategy: Rebalancing priorities for Lambeth streets, p.20
- Transport of London (TFL), PTAL map
- Fields in Trust (2020), Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play: Beyond the Six Acre Standard – England, p.6
- Department for Transport (2007), Manual for Streets, p.45