It has entered into a partnership with Lee Valley Estates for a new facility at the heart of the Hale Village regeneration project in Tottenham that will include use as a church.
This is the first time that the Church of England in London has entered into a long-term relationship with a developer to put urgently needed community facilities, including a place of worship, in the heart of a major regeneration area.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Diocese of London will take out a 250 year lease on the facility.
The £14million development secured planning permission in July this year and will include a community centre, nursery, café, residential accommodation. It will also be able to hold community events and religious ceremonies like weddings and baptisms.
Construction is due to begin in six months and completion is expected in the next two years.
Head of Strategic Development for the Diocese of London, Matthew Girt said the development was part of the diocese’s wider strategic approach in London.
“We looked across the whole city and identified Tottenham as one of a number of top priority areas,” he said. “Our research found that there was a real need for a community resource in Tottenham Hale and we are extremely pleased that we have come to an agreement that will make this happen. This is a first of a number of similar projects for the Church in London. We will be at the heart of the Tottenham Hale community from the early days of construction and are committed to staying there for the very long term.”
Hale Village is a new £380million development that includes private, shared ownership, social and student housing, and is home to around 6,500 people.
Chairman of Lee Valley Estates, Michael Polledri said: “We are delighted to partner the London Diocese in this groundbreaking initiative, which we know will be a wonderful asset to our communities. We look forward to a long and successful life for this unique partnership.”
Until the new community centre opens, the Diocese of London will continue building relations through temporary pop up cafes and events.
An interim centre has just been opened and there are plans to expand it into a community hub in the near future.