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It's something that's been on everyone's lips for the past few years, but just how will the Thames Gateway development affect housing, infrastructure and jobs in your area.

Although it can be argued that Redbridge and Waltham Forest are only on the outskirts of the proposed development area and won't see any real improvement, both boroughs plan to use the project to benefit their residents.

What is Thames Gateway?

The Thames Gateway project covers East London, Essex and Kent.

There are two key zones of the development in East London. The first is called the Lower Lea and runs from Stratford to Canary Wharf.

Thames Gateway development areas

The second zone is called London Riverside and includes Barking and Dagenham, parts of Newham and Havering. It runs from Becton to Rainham along the north Bank of the Thames and is about 15 square miles.

Most of the area was previously industrial land which has now become idle.

The London Development Agency say they want to turn it into an area where people want to 鈥渨ork, invest, live and relax鈥� by creating new homes and employment.

What does it mean for Waltham Forest?

Presently the borough has a housing target of 695 homes. The last count for the period of 2005/06 had the target at 406. So well on their way you might say, but the stats also provide a more bleak outlook.

鈥� 1500 households with priority for housing will not be offered a home
鈥� Over 2000 households will remain in temporary accommodation
鈥� 7000 households on the council waiting lists have little chance of being re-housed
鈥� The population in the borough is expected to grow by 9500 by 2026

But Head of Housing for Waltham Forest, Colin Moone is confident there is light at the end of the tunnel. He's already created a draft HLAA showing over 1000 potential housing sites with the capacity for over 9000 new homes.

Three of the main regeneration areas in the borough are Blackhorse lane, Walthamstow Town Centre and the North Olympic Fringe. As well as developing new and larger housing units to meet the foreseeable demand, Waltham Forest are keen to support and promote investment in training, skill development and business and enterprise opportunities.

And what of Redbridge?

The target for new homes in Redbridge between 2007 and 2017 is 10,550 new dwellings (almost 1,055 per year). An ambitious proposal considering that the current number of new homes built is just over 600 per year.

Whilst much of the development activity is centred on the Metropolitan Town Centre of Ilford, both Gants Hill and Chadwell Heath are attracting developer interest and regeneration opportunities in Barkingside and Fullwell Cross will also be explored.

The most significant project will be 'Unity Square' in Ilford, (adding to the existing central library, museum and cinema), a replacement state-of-the-art theatre, refurbished concert hall, new civic square with shops, cafes and bars, and subsidised by the development of up to 500 new homes.