Helping local people get a home of their own
We can’t sit back and let the housing crisis continue unabated. Demand for housing in Waltham Forest currently far outstrips supply – but we’re doing all we can to tackle the problem.
We want everyone who would like to live in Waltham Forest to be able to find a home they can afford. Last year, we built the second-highest number of homes for social rent of any local authority, with 190 completed. We are committed to building 1,000 extra homes for social rent over the next few years, and we recently asked our independent Housing Commission to examine the barriers to building more affordable homes and make recommendations about how these can be overcome.
Building new homes has other benefits. The money we get from developers is invested in improvements that everyone can benefit from, such as parks, transport infrastructure and health services. We’ve been working with our partners on a range of developments across the borough, including sites at Lea Bridge station, Leyton’s Coronation Square, and New Road in Chingford. I know the development at 17&Central has provoked lots of talk on social media as the lift shaft for one of the towers is built. The project will create hundreds of new homes, many for key workers at below-market rents, and create 350 permanent retail jobs alongside an improved town square. We’re building for the future so that Waltham Forest has the homes and infrastructure local people need.
Speaking of the future, I’d like to congratulate everyone getting their exam results this week. I hope you received the grades you wanted and, if not, please do talk to your school or college about the options available to you or check out the information on our website.
⚽ Watch the World Cup Final in Fellowship Square!
I'd like to wish the Lionesses good luck in the World Cup Final on Sunday morning.
We'll be screening the game live in Fellowship Square from 10am. It's free to enter but as we have limited space, please book tickets in advance. See details below.
It's coming home – again!
Ahsan
Cllr Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council and Cabinet lead for Housing and Regeneration
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Illustrated map of Walthamstow by Angry Dan
Local poet-painter Angry Dan has been getting a lot of love on Facebook with his brilliant illustrated map of Walthamstow. It features much-loved E17 landmarks, and you can order one by visiting his current exhibition, Angry Dan's Amazing World of Limericks, at 1B Window Gallery, Coppermill Lane until Monday 28 August.
“The map is about how much I love our town,” says Dan. “I want everyone to enjoy it, so I’m offering them on a pay-what-you-like basis. Come down and grab one.”
Alongside his artwork, Dan is hosting a limerick writing competition. Enter the competition here.
We're not sure if 'flurry' is the correct collective noun for festivals but we're using it anyway as the borough's summer events continue apace, from north to south. Here are some dates for your diary as the holidays continue:
The Mount Festival
Saturday 16 September: 11am to 4pm, Albert Crescent, E4.
One month to go! Come along to The Mount Festival and enjoy a free fun-filled day of live music, local independent makers and their artisan craft made products, food stalls, children's activities and planet positive activities.
Wood Street Summer Fete
Saturday 26 August: from midday, Troubridge Square (Wood Street Plaza), in front of Wood Street Library.
Head to the Wood Street Summer Fete, for free, fun activities for all the family, including a bouncy castle, cups and saucers, children’s art and crafts, a live performance from The Voice’s Nadeem Leigh, and free candyfloss and popcorn (whilst stocks last).
Leytonstone Festival
From Saturday 2 September to Sunday 10 September, multiple locations.
Leytonstone Festival dates back to the 1990s and puts a spotlight on local performers and venues, with events for all ages, including music, cabaret, walks, talks and dancing.
Uplands Festival
Saturday from 10am to 11pm, multiple venues, Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Lane.
Drop in to Big Penny Social, Caribbean Eatery, Exhale, Switchboard Studios and Pretty Decent for an-all day festival of music and DJs. There will also be a record fair, workshops and panels on how to get started in the music industry and breaking down class barriers, in-conversations and a zine workshop. Produced in partnership with Waltham Forest Council.
And here's one we made earlier...
Culture Fest: The Carnival took place at Fellowship Square last Saturday, 12 August. Hosted by the Race Equality Staff Network (REN), it was a fun-filled day full of music and live performances. Thanks to everyone who took part, and to those who turned up to make it such a special event.
On Monday 21 August, 6-9pm, the Metropolitan Police will host a public meeting at The Great Hall Leyton to launch the New Met Plan for London. They will unveil the new plan for policing London, including specific details for Waltham Forest and the issues most important to local residents. Everybody is welcome and encouraged to join the meeting, where attendees will be able to engage with police directly.
On Monday 28 August 2023, for the first time since our incredible £4.5 million investment from the London Borough of Waltham Forest, The Hive is ready to welcome one and all to our centre to see the new facilities and explore the natural world once again!
From 12pm to 4pm you can join us in Epping Forest for a day of family fun including craft activities, meet the animals, pond dipping, guided walks and more.
As there will be no general parking onsite, we’re providing a shuttle bus service from Chingford Station throughout the day, as well as free guided walks and a limited number of accessible parking spaces for blue badge holders.
If you're interested in any of these transport options, click the button below to book your spot.
A street party in Bunyan Road
For this year’s World Car Free Day, we’re inviting anyone in Waltham Forest to apply to host a street party on the weekend of Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September.
It’s a great opportunity to get together with your neighbours, have some food, drink and activities, and enjoy your street free from through traffic.
The deadline to apply is Friday 25 August.
It’s been a busy summer at Fellowship Square, and we still have plenty to come. Head to the Square for fun for all ages, and help support local businesses at the same time.
This Sunday, 20 August, from 2pm to 5pm, Sketchfest returns with a fun and interactive Portrait Party. Come draw and be drawn at this playful portrait session, suitable for all ages and abilities. Tickets from £5. More info and buy tickets.
Next week we have creative art activities from Wood Street Walls, who will be running art activities for the whole family to enjoy from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 August. Tickets from £5. More info and buy tickets.
From Tuesday 22 to Friday 25 August we will have 3D Sculpt and Scan workshops using plasticine and 3D scanning to recreate Walthamstow, as well as an exciting digital and physical space. Tickets from £5. More info and buy tickets.
Join us to watch the Lionesses roar!🦁
We will be screening the World Cup Final in the Square from 10am on Sunday 20 August, kick-off at 11am. Entry is free but you must book a ticket in advance as space will be limited to make sure we have a safe and well run event. Access to the square will be limited to people with tickets from 10am.
Bring your kids, picnics and blankets. Please note there will be bag searches on entry to check for alcohol. Additional security and staffing will be in place throughout. People who have booked tickets for Sketchfest in the afternoon will be able to enter before that starts at 2pm.
Unlock the clues and help save the future in STOWAWAYS
A free game that takes elements from escape rooms and scavenger hunts is launching in Blackhorse Road on Saturday 23 September.
It combines interactive storytelling with a trail of physical locations along Blackhorse Lane. The Stowaways have found a way to hack our technological devices through time, and are reaching back in their past to you because they need your help to change the future. Just bring a smartphone and your curiosity to play!
The game is produced by Waltham Forest based Social Cinema London, who are organising cooperative play sessions and has been made possible by the Make It Happen Grants programme. Follow our culture Instagram channel to find out more.
A collective of Waltham Forest filmmakers recovering from drug or alcohol addiction will premiere their short films in a special screening at William Morris Gallery on Thursday 24 August, from 2pm to 4pm.
E17 Unlimited will also speak about their experiences as first-time filmmakers. Their recovery is being supported by Change Grow Live, a national charity commissioned by the council, which offers treatment and support for people struggling with alcohol and substance misuse. Please email Sabbir.Ahmed@cgl.org.uk to attend. Capacity is limited.
A-level, T-Level and Level 3 VTQs results support
If you or your child has received their exam results and wants advice, there is help at hand.
Careers information and advice
Careers guidance is available from a qualified careers professional in your school or college.
Exam results helpline
To talk through your exam results or get advice on what to do next, call the National Careers Service helpline on 0800 100 900.
The service is available from Thursday 17 August to Friday 1 September 2023, from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm Saturday.
Temporary closures around Leytonstone High Road
To enable essential highway repairs and resurfacing, changes will be in place over the next few weeks.
- From Monday 21 August until Sunday 27 August, Leytonstone High Road will be closed to vehicles in both directions between Harvey Road and Gainsborough Road. Lengthy traffic diversions will be in place, indicated by traffic signs. In the Leytonstone town centre one-way system, Lemna Road, Kirkdale Road and Church Lane E11 will be open for access only, with no through route. The bus-station in Kirkdale Road will also be closed and all buses diverted. Temporary bus-stands will be provided on the Grove Green Road Plaza side of Leytonstone Tube Station.
- From Monday 28 August, Leytonstone High Road between Harvey Road and Church Lane will reopen and southbound traffic (including southbound buses via the bus-station) will go back to normal via the Lemna Road, Kirkdale Road and Church Lane one-way system. From the same date for up to two weeks (finishing earlier if possible), Leytonstone High Road will remain closed to northbound traffic between Church Lane and Gainsborough Road. Northbound buses will remain on diversion.
Full details of bus diversions can be found on the TfL website. and you can view a map of current roadworks on the Road Works page on our website.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Waltham Forest Jobs website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
And you can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website. And check out our LinkedIn.
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