Station Car Park

“I’d like to see: more ‘nicer’ shops and [pop ups], well-designed green pedestrianised community spaces, cafe seating extending further and spaces for kids to play safely.” – South Woodford resident

The Station Car Park extends south from South Woodford Underground Station, one of the main points of arrival into the town centre. The Central Line railway tracks run along the eastern edge of the site. Office buildings back onto the site at the northwest. The gardens of seven terraced houses on Marlborough Road back onto the site along the western edge. There is currently vehicle access into the site from George Lane at the north and from Marlborough Road to the west.

The site is currently occupied by a builder’s merchant and associated yard, an NCP car park and a synagogue. Redbridge’s Local Plan* identifies the site (LP Site Number 120) as an opportunity to build 140 new homes and 1950 sqm of employment floorspace. Most of the site is owned by Transport for London. 

Development on the Station Car Park is an opportunity to address key local priorities by:

• Adding greenspace, including active greenspace, in the town centre.
• Not increasing vehicle traffic or pollution.
• Retaining community functions within the town centre.
• Creating a good first impression of South Woodford for people arriving by train.

New development on Station Car Park must:

• 4.1 Movement: Create multiple pedestrian access points into the site from Marlborough Road and north-south permeability through the site.
• 4.2 Movement: Provide a pedestrian link through re-developed underground station to the north.
• 4.3 Built form: Minimise impact on public realm and existing homes. If over station development is proposed, buildings should be set back.
• 4.4 Built Form: Create legible streets with dual aspect homes.
• 4.5 Built Form: Provide a minimum of 25% of the site area as well-overlooked publicly accessible open spaces between developments.
• 4.6 Public Space: Provide a variety of open and green spaces, both active and passive across the site
• 4.7 Uses: Create new active frontage onto George Lane.
• 4.8 Uses: Be a mixed use development, offering additional value to the community beyond solely residential provision.
• 4.9 Identity Undertake a ‘formal review’ with the Redbridge Design Review panel, from RIBA Stage 2 prior to planning submission.