Work has begun to connect the local community in West Ham with Berkeley's new TwelveTrees Park neighbourhood.
Construction is now underway to create a new entrance for West Ham station, due to complete in 2023, as well as access to the development's forthcoming community hub.
TwelveTrees Park is a major mixed-use regeneration scheme in Newham, which will bring more than 3,800 new homes, a secondary school and retail and leisure quarter to the borough.
Berkeley has set out ambitious sustainability goals for the entire construction process. At least 95 per cent of the waste generated will be recycled, while 100 per cent of timber will be sourced from sustainably managed forests. Over 40,000m3 of excavated soil will be reused on site rather than sent to landfill. As well as a range of initiatives to drive down carbon emissions during construction, any emissions generated from onsite works will be monitored and offset via verified carbon offsetting schemes.
The construction of TwelveTrees Park is set to create a range of new employment opportunities in the local area over the coming years. At its peak, construction will involve more than 1,000 staff working on site - with 8,000 jobs created in total during the construction process and over 250 apprenticeships offered on site. Stringent social distancing measures will be implemented on site for the protection of staff, in line with government guidance and Berkeley's own safety policies.
Supporting Newham Council's vision of building genuinely affordable homes for local people and combatting the borough's housing crisis, Berkeley is also working together with housing association Peabody to deliver 40 per cent on-site affordable housing, including shared ownership opportunities.
Justin Tibaldi, divisional managing director at Berkeley Homes (Capital), commented: "TwelveTrees Park is a vital part of the revitalisation of East London, and we're delighted that construction is now underway. Our approach is to adopt best practice every step of the way and we aim to be world-class when it comes to sustainability, delivering this vital scheme in a way which is carbon positive, as well as providing a development which brings lasting community benefits.
"This will bring new facilities for TwelveTrees Park residents and the wider community, deliver a network of beautiful public spaces in the heart of London and provide affordable housing and shared ownership opportunities."
This first phase of construction work also include new homes at Evergreen Point, which will provide 205 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Visit www.twelvetreespark.co.uk for more information.