Key Points
- First 110 affordable homes completed at TwelveTrees Park, West Ham, delivered by Berkeley Group in partnership with the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Newham, Homes England, Peabody, and TfL.
- Completion marks a major milestone in one of London’s largest brownfield regenerations, transforming a once-derelict 26-acre site.
- Delivered affordable homes include 45 for social rent and 65 for shared ownership, aiming to provide accessible housing in Newham.
- Two new pedestrian bridges open, reconnecting West Ham Station, the development, and surrounding neighbourhoods after decades of separation by rail infrastructure.
- Once finished, TwelveTrees Park will feature more than 4,700 mixed-tenure homes, of which at least 1,650 are affordable.
- Major infrastructure additions planned, including a 1,000-pupil secondary school, a new entrance to West Ham Station, and a 12-acre Wi-Fi enabled park.
- The development focuses on community inclusivity, sustainability, and the creation of over 8,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs.
- A £67 million contribution to local infrastructure and services made by the project partners through the Section 106 agreement and Community Infrastructure Levy.
- The project aligns with the new Labour government’s push for brownfield-led housing delivery and aims to address London’s severe housing shortage.
- Local leaders and stakeholders, including Tom Copley (GLA), Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (Mayor of Newham), Angela Wood (Peabody), and Harry Lewis (Berkeley Group), celebrated the milestone, highlighting the collaborative regeneration effort.
Berkeley Group, in collaboration with major public sector partners, has delivered the first significant milestone at TwelveTrees Park, West Ham: the completion of 110 affordable homes and two pedestrian bridges, marking a new era for one of London’s most complex regeneration sites.
What does the completion of the first affordable homes mean for West Ham?
As reported by the Berkeley Group media team, and corroborated by Peabody Group, the delivery of the initial 45 social rent and 65 shared ownership homes signifies an early but pivotal success for a regeneration project set to transform West Ham’s skyline and connect previously isolated neighbourhoods.
According to Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, as cited by Berkeley Group:
“TwelveTrees Park is going to transform the local area, providing thousands of much-needed new homes alongside a new school, parkland and retail space. It’s fantastic to see the first 110 affordable homes delivered, alongside the two pedestrian bridges that will connect the site to the wider West Ham community for the first time. As the development continues, creating thousands of jobs, I look forward to seeing the regeneration of the site and all the new benefits it will bring to local residents as we continue to build a better, fairer London for all”.
How will the new pedestrian bridges reconnect West Ham?
As described by Isabel Coman, Director of TfL Engineering and Asset Strategy, in a statement published by Peabody, the inauguration of two new pedestrian bridges creates direct links between TwelveTrees Park and West Ham Station, reducing travel time for residents from 20 minutes to just two.
“Good transport links are vital to help unlock new housing and growth, and we’re delighted to be helping support this new development at West Ham, providing more than 3,800 homes – 40 per cent of which will be affordable. Last year, we successfully oversaw the installation of two bridges across the Tube and DLR lines to support the new station entrance, which was achieved with no disruption to passenger services. Once complete, the new station entrance will transform the connectivity of the site, making it easier to take public transport for work or to visit friends and family across the city.”
Why is the TwelveTrees Park project significant for the borough of Newham?
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, via a statement to Berkeley Group’s newsroom, emphasised the development’s transformational role:
“Today’s a major milestone in delivering more homes people can afford with the completion of a vital phase of the remarkable TwelveTrees development. Driven by valued partners Berkeley, who are committed to our inclusive growth mission in our borough across a number of schemes, TwelveTrees is another example of how Newham is growing London… With a new neighbourhood born from inspiration and hard work, it shows Berkeley’s enduring commitment to Newham as they transform one of London’s most complex regeneration sites. It’s a great example of modern urban living and these completed new homes and bridges are the foundation of exciting things to come. A thriving, inclusive and vibrant neighbourhood that champions high quality and sustainable housing design with residents and communities at its heart.”
What future phases and infrastructure are planned at TwelveTrees Park?
According to the official Berkeley Group release and supporting details from Peabody Group, future phases will see a total of more than 4,700 mixed-tenure homes, with at least 1,650 affordable homes by 2030, and enhanced focus on social-rented family units. Included are plans for:
- A 1,000-pupil secondary school.
- A new entrance to West Ham Station, scheduled for 2027.
- 12 acres of public-access, Wi-Fi-enabled parkland.
- A vibrant mix of community, retail, and commercial spaces amounting to over 220,000 sq ft.
- More than 8,500 new jobs (8,000 in construction, 500 permanent).
- Commercial and educational facilities, including a new science school on site.
Phil Jenkins, Executive Director of Development at Peabody, stated to Peabody Group’s media centre:
“It’s fantastic to see the remarkable progress at TwelveTrees Park which is testament to the hard work of all partners involved. The transformation of brownfield sites into much-needed new homes – 40 percent of which will be affordable here – is great news for the borough. TwelveTrees Park is set to become a vibrant and well-connected hub with good local amenities and job opportunities for local people. Residents will benefit from a balance of large green spaces and speedy links to central London. Crucially, we will be providing much needed family-sized affordable homes that meet local needs.”
How was the regeneration partnership formed, and who are the main partners?
The partnership, as detailed by Berkeley Group and Peabody, includes the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Newham, Homes England, Peabody, and Transport for London. The collaboration leverages expertise from public agencies and private sector innovation. The site, previously a Parcelforce depot left derelict for a decade, is now the focus of coordinated brownfield regeneration in line with government housing policy priorities.
Angela Wood, Deputy Executive Director of Development at Peabody, commented via Berkeley Group:
“It’s great to see families already enjoying living at TwelveTrees Park. The completion of these new high-quality, affordable homes is a welcome milestone and demonstrates the importance of partnership working and a shared commitment to building communities, not just homes. Completing the first affordable homes – including much-needed social rent – along with new pedestrian bridges, is a big step in reconnecting this part of West Ham with the wider community. It’s a real boost for the area, opening up new opportunities, stronger links, and the foundations for a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood.”
What do stakeholders say about the long-term vision and housing crisis?
Harry Lewis, Divisional Land and Development Director at Berkeley Group, in a statement to Berkeley Group’s newsroom, focused on the critical need for affordable homes:
“We are delighted to welcome our first residents to their new affordable homes at TwelveTrees Park. London’s housing crisis is causing deep and lasting damage, and we need to combine our strengths to deliver long-term solutions. Thanks to a strong public-private partnership, we’ve delivered our first 110 affordable homes at TwelveTrees Park and aim to complete several hundred more between now and 2030… But this is also about unlocking opportunity for more – the new pedestrian bridges open up access for the community for the first time, and lay the groundwork for more new homes, jobs, green space, schools and services for West Ham and the Lower Lea Valley.”
Tom Copley, as cited above, highlighted the significance of unlocking underused land for affordable housing under the city’s strategy to ‘build a better, greener, more prosperous London for all’.
What are the economic and social benefits for the local community?
According to information published by Berkeley Group and reiterated by Peabody Group, the regeneration is anticipated to inject £67 million into local infrastructure, create over 8,500 jobs, and foster a sustainable, modern urban environment. The new homes and transport links are also expected to enhance connectivity, facilitate access to schools and workplaces, and help address population growth pressures forecast for the borough.
How did the celebration event mark this milestone?
On 15 July, Berkeley Homes and their apprentices, alongside partners from TfL, GLA, Newham, Peabody, and Homes England, commemorated the completion of the first homes and bridges, marking an important symbolic and practical milestone for Newham residents and London’s broader regeneration landscape. Local leaders took a tour of new homes, highlighted the inclusive growth mission, and reiterated commitment to sustainable, quality housing.
