Developer and manager of residential for rent homes – Watkin Jones – has received resolution to grant planning permission for Grove Crescent, its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Stratford, East London. Located on Grove Crescent Road, the brownfield site was previously occupied by Jewson builders’ merchants, before closing in late 2020, and has been vacant since. Watkin Jones acquired the site in 2021.
The proposals for Grove Crescent include 397 new student homes alongside 22,000 sq ft of new workspace aimed at local makers and creative businesses. This will help to meet the higher education needs of the area and bring increased local spending from the new students.
The development has been designed to be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will also provide new outdoor and amenity spaces, and an improved public realm with additional planting to create a more attractive environment for the local community. The car-free scheme encourages residents to use sustainable modes of travel, such as walking or cycling.
Within its community activity around the new Grove Crescent development, Watkin Jones plans to work with young people locally on a range of community initiatives – such as planting on the roof gardens, site tours, and providing learning opportunities about sustainability and new housing.
“This is great news for Newham, turning a vacant brownfield site into new high-quality and sustainable homes for students, who are discovering everything that East London’s growing higher education sector has to offer. Student numbers are increasing across the UK and today’s very focused undergraduates want the best quality accommodation to make the most of their time at university.
“We have worked extremely hard to deliver a scheme of the highest quality, delivering employment and workspace for local makers and creatives, as well as a wide range of real long-term community benefits for residents and local businesses alike.”
Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer, Watkin Jones
This is Watkin Jones’ second recent development in Stratford, following the completion of its 511-student home Eleanor Rosa House for the University of London in 2019.
