H2O
About
For two decades bloc and Canal & River Trust have combined private sector impact entrepreneurship with third sector enterprise culture to create exemplar waterside developments that provide both economic and social value.
Land receipts and profits gift aided from H20 play an important part in helping the Canal and River Trust fund the care and upkeep of the nation’s historic canals and rivers.
Our sites are special, and our goal is to balance local, historical, operational, and environmental sensitivities to create unique waterside places.
In developing places in which to live, work or rest we:
· Focus on local need
· Respect waterside heritage
· Design high quality environments
H2O is jointly owned by Canal & River Trust and bloc.
Canal & River Trust is the waterways and wellbeing charity that cares for the nation’s 200-year old network of canals, rivers and docks.
Castle Wharf, Nottingham
This beautiful listed warehouse sits in the centre of the commercial and leisure district of Nottingham City Centre. Opposite is the new HMRC office and across the road work is due to commence on the new city centre campus for Nottingham University. The warehouse is largely vacant and needs to be refurbished back into a long term sustainable use. H2O has submitted a planning application for 95 residential apartments. Subject to planning we hope to commence construction in 2023 to create a vibrant living spaces.
Salford
The next phase of redevelopment in the Crescent area of Salford with excellent access into Manchester City Centre and close to Salford station. The site forms part of a wider development framework being promoted with the council in partnership with the University and is adjacent to Middlewood Locks a £700m waterside development The design safeguards a route for the restoration of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal.
The project is expected to provide 200 afforable homes and 280 build to rent apartments. We are currently carrying out pre application discussions ahead of a planning application later in 2022.
Canons, Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, London
H2O secured a planning permission for redevelopment of a disused car park, and refurbishment of an historic building for a new budget concept hotel in the Docklands.
The scheme refurbished the historic building, and created a new building blending contemporary and period architecture whilst respecting the setting of the adjacent grade ll listed Cannons Workshops and having regard to the proximity of the modern architecture of Canary Wharf.
Additionally, the scheme created new public realm, and opened and enhanced the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.
The development of the site was forward sold to Tune Hotels who completed the building of the 133-bedroom hotel in 2015.
Hayhurst Quay, Northwich, Cheshire
This was an under-utilised site in the centre of Northwich, comprising car park, and a disused cinema.
H2O assembled three land holdings and secured planning for a supermarket, retail units, assisted living, a new marina and public realm.
H2O built the Waitrose, car parking and public realm and also the infrastructure for the marina and assisted living. The latter was delivered by McCarthy and Stone.
The scheme was built and completed in July 2012 and the Waitrose is trading well.
Batchworth Lock, Rickmansworth
This CRT owned site was an was home to an inefficient Travis Perkins unit.
H2O secured planning for a new TP unit and an 88-bedroom hotel which is pre-let to Premier Inn. The Planning Committee supported this scheme which is seen as creating jobs and complementing other businesses in Rickmansworth.
This project was completed in 2021 and was forward funded by Lago Investment Properties Ltd.
Wharfdale Park, Tyseley
H2O obtained reserved matters approval for 200,000 sq ft of industrial space, pre-letting Phase 1 and forward funding the construction of the development with Ropemaker Properties.
The scheme was completed in 2018.
The canal aesthetic has been vastly improved, and working places created.
Bulbourne
This Canal and River Trust site was formerly the manufacturing base for lock gates but is under-utilised and in need of sensitive regeneration.
Understanding the sensitivity of the listed buildings and the sites historical heritage H20 undertook extensive consultation re ecology, suitable uses and heritage, in partnership with the local community. Following this we submitted and gained planning and listed building consent for 25 homes.
Given the listed buildings this is a scheme that is a mix of conversion and new build.
The work will provide the sustainable reuse of this site and will complete in 2022.
Carnforth
Strategic residential development site for circa 550 homes and new sports facilities.
H2O are currently promoting the site to be released form the greenbelt as part of the new local plan. H2O will then select a development partner to deliver the first phase of the site.
Site/Community Benefits:
- New affordable housing
- New pedestrian links down to the town centre and canal
- New sports facilities
Bow Wharf, London E2
This site, a little oasis between Victoria and Mile End Parks and at the junction of two canals was formerly an unused warehouse and underutilised car park site.
H2O Urban gained planning and has redeveloped the site, working with Architects, Lewis and Hickey, for five family houses, 29 flats and a small cafe. Ten of the units were affordable homes.
The development also includes a landscaped piazza providing public open space which opens access to the canal.
The development was completed in 2018.
Marsworth, Hertfordshire
This is a former CRT yard and concrete batching plant, but in a stunning edge of village location with two water frontages.
H2O secured a planning permission for the conversion of a former toll building into a four-bedroom house alongside new homes. Our Architects Stride Treglown designed this contemporary scheme using a palette of materials to reflect the industrial heritage, mixed with those already found in the village. The houses are set among landscaped open space and with renewed boating facilities.
The project was completed in 2015.
Floating Structures, London
The opportunity to create homes, restaurants and offices on water, and enliven the waterspace.
CRT own a number of dock locations where these structures could be located, and this is currently being reviewed in both London and Liverpool.
Burdett Road, Limehouse,
London E14
H2O acquired this former print building site from Thomas Potts plc who also achieved both land payments and a substantial overage payment.
Planning permission was achieved by H20 for a ten-storey contemporary tower. The scheme included 90 flats and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space. It also initiated a new walkway along the Limehouse Cut.
Loughborough
H2O changed the planning permission on the site from residential to an 87-bed hotel. The scheme also allowed for landscaping to the rear of the hotel to open up access to the canal, and ground floor retail to provide activity at street level.
H20 pre-let the hotel to Travelodge with ground floor retail space. The hotel forms the final phase of a larger development comprising student housing and further retail / leisure space.
The development was pre-funded by Canal and River Trust.
The development of the site was completed in 2012.
Weaver
This brownfield site is a former boatyard that has fallen into a state of disrepair that H2O have been promoting for residential development in Cheshire.
H2O are in the process of obtaining planning approval for a new marina and circa 82 new waterside homes. H2O will then select a development partner to deliver the scheme.
Site/Community Benefits:
- Sustainable re-use of a brownfield site
- New access to the waterfront
- New pedestrian links
- New marina and moorings
Harrow Road, Westminster, London
H2O Urban secured a planning permission on a small infill site for 9 flats, a mix of one, two and three bedrooms. The ground floor has 3,000 sq ft for commercial use.
The design of the scheme uses both modern and traditional materials, to reflect the adjacent mixed architectural styles.
Following grant of permission H2O sold the site and the building is completed.
Actons Lock, London E8
Actons Lock was a redunadant timber storage yard. H2O Urban achieved a planning permission for 25 residential units, six of which were affordable units. The scheme also had ground floor retail to reflect the existing street scene.
H20 built the scheme in 2006 and it completed in 2007.
The units were was pre-sold before start on site commenced, thereby minimising risk.
The cycle repair café that was pioneering at the time remains on the ground floor servicing the local community and the surrounding area including the adjacent Broadway market which has become a popular East London destination.
Branch Place, London N1
H2O secured a planning permission for a small redundant industrial site regenerating it into 23 mixed tenure flats above a photographic studio, this sustainable urban development has been a catalyst for adjacent renewal.
The scheme was completed in 2010.
Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster
Aldcliffe Road was a CRT owned storage yard with redundant listed buildings, located on the Lancaster Canal.
H2O Urban were granted planning approval for 14 family houses on the site including the refurbishment of the listed buildings.
This development has been completed in part for custom build owners, and in part built by H2O Urban for sale.
All units are now sold.
Aldermaston Wharf, Padworth, Berkshire
H2O secured a planning permission for 11 contemporary homes on a waterside infill site.
The houses are a mix of two, three- and four-bedroom units, set in three blocks, each with its own character unified by style and materials.
The focus of the redevelopment is the retention and refurbishment of the existing tollhouse and canal house which suggested the palette of the architecture for the new units.
This site was sold and H2O Urban refurbished the Visitor Centre for the Canal and River Trust which has now re-opened and allows greater interaction with the canal.
Brentford, West London
On the site of a former yard and public convenience (!) H2O achieved planning for a scheme of 5 new contemporary townhouses.
The scheme was designed to enhance the Conservation Area in which it sits with its use of London Stock brick and slate combined with zinc cladding to give a modern feel to a traditional design.
The site was sold with the benefit of planning.
Norwood Yard, Norwood Green, Ealing, London
H2O secured planning permission for this former waterway depot for ten large family houses, nine are new build to a contemporary design, the tenth is the refurbishment of the lock keepers’ cottage.
The scheme was laid out in a crescent shape to allow an open aspect to the canal and for all homes to maximise views of the canal but also allow the prominence of the lock keepers cottage. The materials are in keeping with the canal aesthetic and the materials of the original canal cottage. The metal roofs, and aluminium windows though add a contemporary feel.
H2O sold the site with the benefit of the planning permission to a local builder who completed the development.
Bollington, Cheshire
Extensive public consultation was undertaken on this very sensitive site located in a Conservation Area within the town of Bollington.
Planning permission was achieved, and the site has been sold to local house builder.
Marple Yard, Church Street, Marple
H2O secured a planning permission for the refurbishment and modernisation of a Grade 2 Listed warehouse and seven new homes, each with a garden overlooking the canal.
New facilities for New Horizons and Canal and River Trust are incorporated.
