Berkeley JV set to transform UK’s biggest Victorian gasworks cluster into 2,100-home neighbourhood

Plans to turn the largest surviving group of Victorian gasholders into a new east London neighbourhood with 2,100 homes have been submitted to Newham Council. 

St William Homes, a joint venture of Berkely Group and National Grid set up in 2014 to build homes on redundant gas sites, wants to create a 170,000 sq ft mixed-use development at the Bromley-by-Bow Gasworks.  

Proposals drawn up by architect RSHP would see the seven Grade II gasholders transformed temporarily disassembled and restored away from site. 

Once returned, they would form the basis of seven residential buildings ranging from four to 10 storeys. 

The remaining homes in the scheme would be delivered in six circular high-rise buildings, described by the architect as “pencil” style, which would range in heigh from 15 to 33 storeys. 

Located in east London near the border between Newham and Tower Hamlets, the development will include major re-landscaping including the creation of a riverside park. 

>>See also: Berkeley submits plan for at least 3,000 more homes in huge Ealing project

The masterplan for the scheme has been submitted in outline form, with a full planning application submitted for the redevelopment of two of the listed gasholders and the construction of two “pencil” buildings. 

This first phase would deliver 634 homes and 1,700 sq m of flexible commercial or non-residential space. 

Craddys and Shepley Engineers Limited, which worked on restoration projects at Big Ben and St Pancras, as well as the Kings Cross gasholders, has been advising the developers.