From 2D Guesswork to 3D Certainty: How Waltham Forest Tested 3,874 Homes with Confidence

INDUSTRY

Local Government & Urban Planning

CHALLENGE

Waltham Forest needed robust, evidence-led capacity testing across 30 varied sites to meet an ambitious Local Plan (27,000 homes, 52,000 sqm employment) while safeguarding local character, conservation areas, and Epping Forest.

RESULTS

Using VU.CITY, the team modelled each site in accurate 3D, tested massing and key views, and validated capacity: 3,874 homes and 74,545 sqm non-residential. The approach accelerated transparent pre-apps and delivered a defensible evidence base for Local Plan Part 2.

KEY PRODUCT

VU.CITY

The Client

Waltham Forest is a diverse outer London borough home to 280,000 residents. The borough spans Chingford in the north, Walthamstow in the centre, and Leyton and Leytonstone to the south.

In February 2024, the council adopted an ambitious Local Plan targeting 27,000 new homes and 52,000 sqm of employment space by 2035. This represents one of London's most significant planning challenges.

But ambition needed evidence. And evidence needed clarity.

The Challenge

Waltham Forest faced a critical problem developing their Design-Led Capacity Study.

They needed to test 30 development sites across the borough. Each site was different. Some bordered conservation areas. Others sat near the protected Epping Forest. Heights ranged from modest 3-storey infill to 28-storey towers.

Traditional 2D plans couldn't answer the crucial questions:

What's the realistic capacity for each site?
How will new buildings impact existing streets?
Can we meet housing targets whilst protecting local character?

Pre-application discussions were difficult. Developers struggled to understand constraints. The council struggled to build early trust. Static drawings created confusion, not clarity.

The stakes were high. Without robust testing, they risked:

Underestimating capacity and missing housing targets
Overestimating potential and approving inappropriate development
Weak evidence that wouldn't withstand Planning Inspectorate scrutiny

They needed technology that could deliver accuracy, transparency and confidence.

The Solution

Waltham Forest chose VU.CITY's digital twin platform and the approach was straightforward. Model every site in accurate 3D context. Test different scenarios. Generate clear visual evidence.

For each of the 30 sites, the team:

Built indicative massing models
Created key townscape views from surrounding streets
Tested design principles against site constraints
Iterated rapidly based on visual assessment
Documented outcomes with clear schedules

The platform integrated everything: existing buildings, topography, protected trees, heritage assets, policy designations.

Examples included:

Morrisons Supermarket, Chingford: 315 homes across 9 blocks (4-6 storeys)
The Mall Phase 2: 679 homes including towers up to 28 storeys
Sainsbury's Superstore: Two options tested for 526 homes
Smaller sites: Down to 4-home conversions

VU.CITY also supports their Development Performance Agreements. Developers now see proposals in context before investing in detailed designs. Pre-application discussions become collaborative, not confrontational.

Waltham Forest plans for Morrisons Chingford visualised in 3D using VU.CITY

Morrisons Supermarket, Chingford: 315 homes across 9 blocks (4-6 storeys)

Waltham Forest plans for The Mall visualised in 3D using VU.CITY

The Mall Phase 2: 679 homes including towers up to 28 storeys

Waltham Forest plans for Sainsbury's visualised in 3D using VU.CITY

Sainsbury's Superstore: Two options tested for 526 homes

Smaller sites: Down to 4-home conversions

The Results

3,874 homes tested with robust visual evidence 30 sites successfully assessed. Building heights ranged from 2 to 28 storeys, calibrated to local context.

74,545 sqm of non-residential space validated Mixed-use schemes tested for viability and impact.

Clear policy compliance demonstrated Every site showed alignment with Policy 8 (Character-led intensification):

12 sites: Reinforcement (modest intensification)
16 sites: Transition (considerable intensification)
2 sites: Transformation (substantial change)

Faster, more transparent pre-applications Development Performance Agreements now build trust early. Developers gain clarity. Officers communicate expectations effectively. Both parties reduce risk.

Defensible evidence base delivered The study provides the foundation for Local Plan Part 2, ready for independent examination.

IN YOUR WORDS

"VU.CITY has been instrumental in Waltham Forest's Design-Led Capacity Study, bringing clarity to a range of sites in the borough; helping shape an ambitious Local Plan. It also builds trust early with applicants through Development Performance Agreements, making pre-application conversations more transparent and productive."