The changing face of Hornchurch

Retirement community planned

Havering Council has committed to providing a new retirement community within Hornchurch on the site of the Serena, Solar and Sunrise Courts. This site which is located in South Hornchurch has previously offered sheltered accommodation but will now make way for a development of 172 apartments to form a more modern retirement village for those who are nearing, or who have already reached retirement age. Communal facilities here would include storage for mobility scooters or bikes, a village hall, a sociable garden area with lawn games, a resident’s lounge and a wellness treatment studio. All areas of the development, including apartment interiors as well as public zones, will be designed with accessibility in mind to accommodate wheelchairs. This is just part of the £1 billion programme that has been promised as a joint venture between Havering Council’s 12 Estates, alongside Wates Residential as the developer. In total, more than 5,000 new homes are expected to be constructed in the area over the next 12 to 15 years.

Residents enjoying recent regeneration

Of course, Hornchurch is no stranger to successful redevelopment, as in the past ten years it has experienced a £217,000 injection of cash from the Mayor’s Outer London Fund which assisted in speeding up longterm plans to improve the town centre of Hornchurch. The recent changes to Hornchurch’s public spaces are the perfect combination of celebrating the area’s history whilst appealing to the contemporary vibe of the town. New paving and an enhanced street design including trendy furniture provided by Studio Weave have transformed the appearance of the high street to make it more appealing to residents and visitors alike. Increased focus on celebrating the cultural heritage of Hornchurch have encouraged additional visits to the town, with artistic and theatrical events planned throughout the year. At the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, there are frequent performances ranging from family shows and pantomimes to musicals, concerts and Shakespeare. The Christmas Cracker is also unmissable in the town’s calendar attracting more than 2,000 visitors to the town each winter.

Although demolition is now underway on the former site of Serena, Solar and Sunrise Courts, residents who have been displaced as part of the project have a ‘right to return’ and enjoy both the fantastic regeneration initiatives that are already complete as well as those that are yet to come.

If you’re interested in all that Hornchurch has to offer, then now is the time to start considering your next move. House prices are rising in the area as well as increased sales activity, so if you’d like to view some local properties, contact our professional Hornchurch estate agents team today!