Press release

• The completion of the 90 affordable home development in Waltham Forest means that more than 1,250 affordable Pocket homes have been delivered as part of the Mayor of London’s affordable housing programme since 2013
• Completion signifies the developer’s strong relationship with Waltham Forest Council, having delivered a quarter of all Pocket homes in the last 10 years
• This year celebrates 20 years of Pocket Living and the delivery of its 1,500^th home

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Innovative housing developer Pocket Living has completed the delivery of its latest first-time buyer community in Walthamstow, London, in proud partnership with Waltham Forest Council, the Mayor of London and its contractors Legendre UK.

Forest Road E17 comprises 90 one-bedroom, energy-efficient homes available exclusively to first-time buyers at a 20% discount to the local market, as well as a host of communal features designed by architects Gort Scott.

The development’s completion means that more than 1,250 Pocket homes have now been delivered across London as part of the Mayor of London’s affordable housing programme since 2013.

One quarter of these homes are located in Waltham Forest, the highest of any London borough and signifies the council’s commitment to working with Pocket to deliver much-needed affordable homes for local people looking to get on the property ladder.

To commemorate this significant milestone, Pocket CEO Marc Vlessing, Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London, Leader of the London Borough of Waltham Forest Cllr Grace Williams and Legendre UK Managing Director Thomas Vandecasteele, alongside key stakeholders, celebrated with a ribbon cutting at the development and a tour of the new homes ahead of residents moving in April.

Marc Vlessing, Chief Executive Officer at Pocket Living, comments:“Having delivered our Gainsford Road E17 scheme in 2019, we’re excited to have now delivered our second community in Walthamstow, working with Legendre UK to provide 90 exceptional new homes for those who make this area tick.

“Forest Road E17 is a fantastic example of where we have transformed a small, under-utilised site into a place that first-time buyers can truly call home, however, we need many more Forest Roads to stop young Londoners from being locked out of homeownership.

“The London Borough of Waltham Forest and the Mayor of London recognise the positive effect the delivery of affordable homes can have on their community and we thank them for their continued support of Pocket Living.”

Thomas Vandecasteele, Managing Director at Legendre UK, said: “The last 18 months is testament to what can be achieved in true collaboration between developers and the right minded contractor.

"The completion of the Forest Road development marks a significant milestone, demonstrating our commitment to delivering high quality, affordable housing in the UK.”

Forest Road E17 apartments

The homes are within a 12 minute walk of Walthamstow station, and situated opposite the award-winning Lloyd Park and the William Morris gallery.

All of the apartments are cleverly designed to use interior space efficiently and match modern city makers’ lifestyles. As a basis, each home has integrated lighting, built-in storage cupboards, an open-plan living, dining and kitchen space with modern worktops and energy-efficient appliances, and a bedroom with space for a double bed, bedside cabinets and a wardrobe. The windows in each of these rooms are maximised to let light flood in, while the sleek wet room has a walk-in shower that requires 60% less water than conventional products.

Some of the homes also have their own private terrace areas, with the corner apartments looking out to dual-aspect views. Below, existing strawberry trees are being replanted in the courtyard, where seating and shared allotment planters foster a sense of community from the ground up.

Residents also have access to two roof terraces, which include shared allotment beds to grow fruit and veg, and space to exercise or relax with neighbours.

Celebrating 20 years of Pocket Living

2024 marks 20 years since Pocket Living was founded and will also see the company deliver its 1,500^th home in London.

Forest Road E17 is the second affordable housing development Pocket Living has delivered in Walthamstow, following the completion of 45 homes at Gainsford Road in 2019. In 2023, Pocket Living also worked with Waltham Forest council to deliver 117 homes in neighbouring Leyton, exclusively for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees under the Refugee Housing Programme Fund.

For further information, please contact FTI Consulting: pocketliving@fticonsulting.com

About Pocket Living 

Pocket Living is an innovative housing developer, supported by the Mayor of London and Homes England, delivering well-designed, sustainable and affordable homes for London’s first-time buyers.

Pocket is currently the only UK developer dedicated to building and selling grant-free affordable homes.

Established in 2005, Pocket sells one-bedroom homes to those on moderate incomes, people who are essential to London’s economy but who cannot afford to buy on the open market and earn too much to qualify for social housing.

Pocket homes are sold outright to buyers at a 20% discount to the local market. Purchasers must live or work in the local area and will own 100% of their property from day one. Buy-to let investors are excluded and Pocket leases ensure the homes remain affordable in perpetuity by asking Pocket owners to prove they are residents in their homes and are not sub-letting.

But as the affordability challenges change within London, Pocket recognises the need to adapt with them. That is why in 2024, the business will be pursuing a range of affordable rental products to run alongside the traditional Pocket offering. 

www.pocketliving.com