Purfleet Centre regeneration gets green light

Last week, our masterplan, as part of the outline planning submission for the regeneration of Purfleet Centre, received permission in principle from Thurrock Council.

Our client, Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited (a joint venture of Urban Catalyst and Swan Housing), supported by a consultant team of KSS, Exterior Architecture, Savills, Waterman Group, Kyanite Advisors and Forty Group along with substantial input from the local community developed a plan for Purfleet that unites the existing communities around a new urban core.

Our designs will help transform mainly brownfield sites in Purfleet into a new community incorporating a new town centre, 2,850 new homes, education facilities, an integrated medical centre, 135000 m² of film and television studios, supporting media village, shops / restaurants, and an improved transport infrastructure and riverside areas.

The scheme is expected to create around 2,200 new jobs and community improvements for existing residents particularly the opening up of 1km of south facing Thames waterfront for general public use.

Associate Director Dan Blackburn said, “KSS are very proud of the scheme delivered for PCRL and more importantly the residents of Purfleet. The site had many complex issues including topography and the comparative isolation of existing residential communities but also fantastic opportunities such as the reactivation of the waterfront, proximity of High House Production Park and excellent links into the City of London.  It was important that the scheme was not only supported by the local community but they had meaningful input into the emerging designs. We worked closely with Exterior Architecture and Kyanite Advisors to knit together principles, informed by community design panel input, that will support the sustainable delivery of a new urban centre to Purfleet. We are positive that this framework will enhance the area for the existing communities and those who will come to live and work in the future.”

Ken Dytor, PCRL Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban Catalyst added, “This development will tap into the power of culture, creative industries and healthy living. The approval is the result of many years of work and has been shaped by detailed engagement with the local community and stakeholders”.

John Synnuck, Chief Executive of Swan Housing Association said, “We will now all work together to create a thriving environment that provides much needed new homes and services, alongside significant employment and educational opportunities for the local community.”