Site 1 — Downham Road West (Site 1)
The site measures about 0.05ha and is located north west of the estate at the corner where Southgate Road meets Downham Road adjacent to Rosemary Gardens, close to the border between Hackney and the London Borough of Islington. It sits opposite Grade II listed buildings: 96 and 98 Downham Road, mid C19 houses and a telephone kiosk which form part of the De Beauvoir Town Conservation area. The existing site accommodates porta-cabins that are used temporarily as a LBH Decent Homes contractor's depot with car parking spaces. It is adjacent to landscaped green space.
Site 2 — Downham Road East (Site 2)
Located at the opposite end of Downham Road, north east of the estate, the site measures approximately 0.15ha and is bounded by Downham Road and De Beauvoir Road. The site formerly housed garages, but they have been converted into workspace and are used by LBH Decent Homes contractors as a depot. The southern area of the site is partially overlooked by a Council-owned block, Fermain Court. The ramp access to this block is situated adjacent to the development site and will require significant design consideration to reactivate this area and design out anti-social behaviour.
Site 3 — 81 Downham Road
Situated along Downham Road in-between the other two Downham Road sites, this site is currently to be used as the temporary site for Hackney New School. The site measures approximately 0.18ha and offers the opportunity to develop the vacant site once the tenure of the school has ended, for a mixed residential and commercial development. Additionally there is also an opportunity to consider rationalising the public realm and potential for future development of the adjacent area where the Tenant and Resident Association office, car park and a multi-use game area are currently situated.
Site 4 — Balmes Road
Measuring approximately 0.19ha the Balmes Road site is situated south central of the estate at an attractive location opposite Regents Canal to the south (Conservation Area and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation) and Balmes Road to the north of the site. The site is a single-storey podium with parking and garages underneath, currently used by LBH contractors for storage. The site is sandwiched between 2 Council-owned tower blocks, Corbiere House and Granville Court. Primary entrances to both these blocks are currently accessed via the podium. The development of this site would mean that the existing primary access route to the block will have to be removed and redesigned. There is also the potential to develop Hidden Homes at the base of the blocks.
The Council intends to appoint two architect practices, one for each lot, with an evidenced track record of outstanding work to act as lead design consultant for the projects. In summary, the Council is seeking:
— An Options Appraisal for the development sites
— Full planning application for the new development
— A detailed design for the new build residential buildings, any commercial space and the public realm developed to RIBA Stage 3+, key details of which to be included in the planning submission, to safeguard the design for construction
— Detailed drawings for inclusion in the constructor's tender pack
— Input into contractor selection process including evaluation of tender responses
As lead consultant, the architect will be expected to lead the design process, manage the sub-consultant design team and oversee resident consultation.