Charles Russell Speechlys advises Housebuilder Countryside in its partnership with Redbridge council to build up to 1,000 homes in east London centre

Countryside has been selected as the preferred bidder by the London Borough of Redbridge to deliver the town centre regeneration of Ilford Western Gateway to build up to 1,000 new homes as part of the regeneration of Ilford town centre.

The new project will deliver approximately 1,000 much-needed homes to local residents – supporting the Council’s wider regeneration of Ilford Town Centre and the GLA’s designation of Ilford as an opportunity zone. Ilford Western Gateway will also include 30,000sqft of non-residential space for the community, including a proposed parent-led nursery that will provide training opportunities and affordable childcare for local residents.

Charles Russell Speechlys has acted for Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer with 45 years of placemaking experience, for over 35 years, including on several strategic regeneration development projects led by Senior Counsel, Duncan Salmon.

Matt Sutcliffe, Land & New Business Director (East London) at Countryside, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the Charles Russell Speechlys team on this project which involved many trusted stakeholders working together to diligently resolve several complex legal issues. Our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable mixed-tenure communities is unwavering as a partnerships-based business. We have been impressed by Charles Russell Speechlys’ collective depth of expertise, experience and attitude to collaborate.”

Corporate Partner, Sarah Wigington, commented: “We were delighted to be working on this transformative regeneration project that will enhance the local infrastructure, create new jobs and support local business growth. This is another example of how existing longstanding clients of the Firm can continue to grow and develop. We wish the team all the success in delivering much-needed homes, alongside creating extensive community facilities to help support the Council’s wider transformation of Ilford town centre.”

The Charles Russell Speechlys team was led by Partners Sarah Wigington (Corporate), Naomi Nettleton (Real Estate) and Duncan Salmon (Construction), with support from Construction Senior Associate, Rebecca Morjaria. The team also included Partners James Worthington (Construction), Helen Coward (Corporate Tax) and Claire Fallows (Planning).

For more information about this regeneration project, please see here.