Alexandra Gate, Haringey
Regeneration Case Study
- 12-acre former gasworks
- over 1,700 homes, including 447 affordable
- 152.7% Biodiversity Net Gain
- 125,000 sq ft of new commercial and community space
- over 2.5 acres of public open space, including a new one-acre public park, Civic Square, courtyards and pocket parks
Alexandra Gate in Haringey, North London, is one of our 32 long-term regeneration projects. This 12-acre former gasworks and trading estate is being transformed into a thriving new neighbourhood with over 1,700 homes, 125,000 sq. ft commercial and community space, and 2.5 acres public open space.
Alexandra Gate is driving investment and change throughout the surrounding neighbourhood. It forms an important part of the Haringey Heartlands Opportunity Area, one of the largest development opportunities in North London.
Long Term Brownfield Regeneration
Unlocking a Derelict Gasworks
Key Challenges
- Remediation of a former gasworks site
- Bounded by railway lines
- Underground waterway
- Busy residential neighbourhood
Bounded to the west by elevated railway lines, the regeneration has required the remediation of contaminated ground associated with the site’s former gas manufacturing and storage usage.
The site has presented a range of construction challenges, including the repositioning of a Pressure Reduction System, as well as navigating the Moselle Brook – a river that runs through the centre of the site via a below-ground culvert, creating an 8m easement either side of it.
To embrace the site’s cultural heritage, St William is retaining the original gasholder bases, which has required complex structural design.
New Green Spaces
In total, Alexandra Gate will deliver a 152.7% Biodiversity Net Gain, with around 250 trees in total – set in over 2.5 acres of public open space.
At the heart of this new green infrastructure is Hornsey Park, a new 1-acre public park delivered in the early phases of the regeneration.
A new pedestrian walking route has been created – Moselle Walk – which reduces walking times to Wood Green station to eight minutes. Celebrating nature and the outdoors, Moselle Walk creates an ecologically rich walkway that encourages biodiversity to flourish.
A number of features including bat and bird boxes, log pile and insect hotels will be incorporated throughout the route to further enhance and support existing wildlife.
Sustainable Design
- Rainwater harvesting feeding landscape irrigation
- Energy efficient building fabric
Electric car charging infrastructure and 3,000 secure cycle spaces encourage sustainable methods of travel. All homes are connected to a new district-wide energy network, with a communal heat and power network serving the wider community.
Local Jobs and Skills for the Community
To date over 400 Haringey residents have been employed on site. 26 apprenticeships have been created during construction so far, with nine unemployed Haringey residents having already taken up apprenticeships with different contractors working across the site. Three new graduates have also been employed.
Achievements to date:
- 400 local people employed on sites
- 26 apprenticeships
- 17 STEM & Career Educations activities / Work experience placements – outstripping our original targets
Planning Awards 2022
Alexandra Gate (formerly Clarendon) was celebrated for Planning for Affordable Housing at the Planning Awards 2022, judges cited the scheme as an example of how to make “best use of brownfield land” and highlighted “a well thought-through masterplan and housing designs”.
Our Partners
- Planning Authorities: Greater London Authority | London Borough of Haringey
- Architects: Panter Hudspith Architects | Sheppard Robson
- Landscape & Ecology: LDA
- Housing Association: L&Q