Pier

Last week Newham Council’s newly elected Mayor Forhad Hussain broke ground to mark the start of construction at Pier Road in North Woolwich, a 350-home neighbourhood that will deliver 127 Social Rent homes (36%) for households on Newham’s waiting list. 

The riverside development is being delivered by Populo Living, the council’s wholly owned housing company, along with The Hill Group as construction partner, supported by additional funding from Government’s One Public Estate’s Brownfield Land Release Fund and the GLA’s Affordable Homes Programme.

With the first completions expected in 2029, Pier Road will transform vacant land adjacent to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel into a new neighbourhood with 800sqm of maker space for local creatives, a café, new public gardens, a resident courtyard, and children's play areas. 

Set over five blocks of between 8 to 13 storeys, the development includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom flats. The site, allocated for housing in Newham's Local Plan, will also deliver improved bus facilities developed with TfL, as well as enhanced landscaping around the foot tunnel entrance.

Pier Road is a key development in Newham's wider council-led regeneration programme covering North Woolwich and the wider Royal Docks area, as part of the Newham Growth Plan, which continues to invest in connected, inclusive neighbourhoods in response to the borough’s acute housing needs.

By developing on publicly owned land through Populo Living the council retains both the asset and the ability to reinvest returns directly into local communities and much-needed affordable homes.

The scheme will provide a mix of homes for social and market rent, alongside affordable makerspace for small businesses and creatives, improved connections through the site, and enhanced public realm.

The development also contributes to Newham’s wider ambitions to deliver high-quality homes, support inclusive growth and ensure that new development brings tangible benefits to local people, including jobs, training and community infrastructure.

Pier Road joins a growing pipeline of Newham-led developments designed to tackle housing need while maintaining democratic control over land use and ensuring developments serve local priorities.

Forhad Hussain, Mayor of Newham, said: “Breaking ground at Pier Road is a significant milestone for Newham Council and our partners. It means real change is coming to North Woolwich. 

“We are building hundreds of new homes here, and crucially there will be 127 affordable homes for hard working families.

“The Pier Road development will transform the area by supporting local businesses and the creative sector, as well as creating new public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

“I was elected on a promise to build more homes and creative thriving communities and I believe this is the first step on that path.”

Deborah Heenan, CEO of Populo Living, said: “Newham Council is using Populo Living to operate commercially for a social purpose, with Populo designing and delivering homes directly so that the profit is recycled into more affordable homes. Over a third of the homes on this site at Pier Road are for social rent, and the blend of market and affordable rents pays back the money borrowed to develop the land.  

“We are proud to be creating these homes for Newham as this is crucial for local residents who desperately need a home they can afford.”

Michael Turner, Regional Director at The Hill Group, said: “Pier Road is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when public sector vision is matched with the right delivery partnerships. Breaking ground here in North Woolwich marks an important milestone, not just for this site, but for Newham's wider regeneration story.

“We're proud to be working alongside Populo Living to transform this brownfield land into much-needed affordable and family-sized housing, and we look forward to delivering the quality homes that will make this formerly vacant site a thriving neighbourhood for years to come.”