Residents vote ‘yes’ to £300 million investment in Custom House for new homes and jobs

Residents living in Custom House have voted ‘yes’ in support of the Council’s regeneration proposals that have been developed in collaboration with local people. The plans will transform Freemasons Road and the surrounding neighbourhood to deliver 368 homes at social rent levels that local people can afford, new shops and community facilities as well as create jobs.

The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “Our community in Custom House have waited twenty years too long for much needed improvements to this much loved neighbourhood. The ‘yes’ vote is a testament to their success in driving the regeneration plans through a people-powered co-production process that has led to the development of an exciting masterplan that will transform the area for the benefit of our residents.

“Step by step we will take this project forward with residents in the same way we have since 2018, keeping them at the heart of our co-designed plans. The masterplan developed with the community will be taken forward together as we renew Custom House.

“As part of our promise to build homes our people can afford, fifty percent of the 734 new homes will be at social rent levels; with a brand new health centre and nursery, and a new high street on Freemasons Road that will benefit local residents and create jobs.”

Councillor Sarah Ruiz: “This has been a journey of genuine involvement for the community. Custom House residents will continue to meaningfully shape the regeneration as we take this project forward. It’s been a long journey for us all but finally we’re making great progress.”

The  hard fought ballot result is a welcome success for the neighbourhood, with a turnout of 62 percent where 53 percent of residents  voted ‘yes’ to the Custom House masterplan. The masterplan will deliver:

  • 734 residential homes, of which 50 percent will be at social rent levels.
  • A mix of homes including flats, family houses and maisonettes; with the range of housing tenures distributed across the masterplan area so that the Custom House estate restoration and regeneration programme supports the existing mixed and inclusive neighbourhood.
  • An ambitious retrofit programme to 68 existing Council homes, which will support the Council’s carbon neutral targets as part of its Climate Emergency response.
  • A new Health Centre, nursery and enhanced green spaces, including an accessible and open route into Cundy Park. 
  • New retail and commercial space on Freemasons Road to transform it into a vibrant local high street, encouraging visitors from ExCeL and users of the Elizabeth line to support local businesses.

Following this ‘yes’ vote, the Council will now  accelerate its £300 million investment to transform Custom House and unlock opportunities that support the Council’s inclusive economic growth plans which will benefit local residents.