Property Linx 2009 - Waltham Forest: building a better future

North London Business hosted its fifth Property Linx event in October at Chartered Accountant Hall in London.  The past four events have all showcased North London borough development plans.  This event focused on the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Waltham Forest set out its stall in front of 230 developers, investors and property industry movers and shakers, seeking to shine a spotlight on the area?s wealth of untapped investment opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Council representatives put forward a compelling case for the borough, highlighting a clear vision for the area, its regeneration and how investors can benefit from what Waltham Forest has to offer.

As an Olympic Host Borough with excellent transport links, several large-scale developments planned or underway and 50 more key sites earmarked for development, Waltham Forest is creating a prime environment for major investment, and industry insiders were clearly impressed by what they heard.

Speakers, including Council Leader Cllr Chris Robbins, Chief Executive Andrew Kilburn and Director of Development Shifa Mustafa, highlighted the borough?s development and regeneration plans, with an obvious focus on housing (particularly pertinent in light of the Mayor of London?s recent announcement that 7,000 new homes must be built in the next 12 years) but also the need for sustainable neighbourhoods with excellent business, leisure and educational facilities.

?Given our location, transport links and Olympic ties our part of London is on the brink of some very exciting changes,? said Cllr Chris Robbins. ?We?re already making headway on improving the borough socially and economically, but we?re also on the lookout for new partners, developers and investors who can work with us to make Waltham Forest a better place to live, work and do business.?

?Something that really struck home was the fact that Waltham Forest is placed slap-bang in the middle of London?s three biggest growth corridors: the Thames Gateway, the London-Cambridge developments and, of course, the regeneration work surrounding the 2012 Games. When you combine these strategic advantages with the Council?s determination to succeed and really put Waltham Forest on the map it?s a winning formula that forward-thinking investors, developers and entrepreneurs can?t afford to pass up.?

Gary Ince, Chief executive of North London business said: ?Everyone was impressed by the ambition of the borough and its appetite for securing long-term benefits and improvement for its community. The Council?s newfound confidence was palpable and many investors were staggered by the scale of opportunity the borough had to offer. With its green space, Olympic opportunities and fantastic transport connections there will be no shortage of investors looking to work with the borough to invest in schemes to create jobs, homes and leisure facilities.?

Other speakers included John McGill director of North London Strategic Alliance who talked about North London?s Growth Plans particularly in the Upper Lee Valley; Leslie Kent, corporate director of Finncap who as an economist spoke about market conditions and Peter Bishop, group director of the London Development Agency who talked about the 2012 legacy and beyond. Also present on the evening were teams from the Homes and Communities Agency, London Development Agency and the North London boroughs.

Property Linx events present a chance for Local Authorities in North and North East London to promote the opportunities available in their areas and to encourage local investment, as well as representing a chance for local government representatives to network with developers, investors and entrepreneurs. Our next event planned for June 2010 has Redbridge confirmed as the lead Borough with the possibility of Barnet also talking about plans for their boroughs.

North London Business would like to thank all our supporters, North London Strategic Alliance and sponsors Vanderpump & Sykes and Bouygues UK, who without their support we would not be able to host these events.

To find out more about Property Linx events or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Pooran on 020 8885 9200 or Jennifer.pooran@northlondonbusiness.com

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