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.
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:
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:
They needed technology that could deliver accuracy, transparency and confidence.
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.
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):
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.
Waltham Forest turned complexity into clarity.
They balanced competing demands: meeting London's housing needs whilst protecting neighbourhood character.
The result? An evidence-based Local Plan built on confidence, not guesswork.
Book a consultation to discover how VU.CITY can help you test site capacity, improve stakeholder engagement, and accelerate planning decisions.