WALTHAMSTOW Central bus station should be demolished to help regenerate the town centre, according to a draft masterplan for the area.
The dramatic move is proposed by a team of consultants and architects commissioned by Waltham Forest Council to provide a vision for the future of Walthamstow.
The travel hub is one of the busiest bus stations in London and was only rebuilt a few years ago.
It is proposed that its removal would open up space and stops could be relocated to nearby streets.
The report also suggests that the market is extended up to Hoe Street, which is similar to how it used to be before the council changed it several years ago.
The planners also propose a "branding strategy" is developed for the market and that the layout of stalls should be rearranged.
It is also suggested that Selborne Walk shopping centre is extended out into the town square next to Selborne Road.
There are no specific details of plans for the Arcade site, which has been empty for years following a number of failed development deals, other than a proposal for a mixed use complex comprising homes and retail units.
Along Hoe Street it is suggested that six to eight- storey buildings could be constructed in line with the HSBC bank next to the former EMD cinema, with four to five storey buildings along the rest of the site.
The plans are designed to influence the council's future planning policy for the area.
A statement on the masterplan website says: "The purpose of this masterplan for the centre of Walthamstow is to provide a comprehensive approach to the regeneration of the area, maximising opportunities and benefits, whilst building upon, and nurturing, unique local assets including a burgeoning array of small independent retailers / businesses, Walthamstow Market and Town Square and Gardens.
"Primarily the masterplan is designed to aid the delivery of the principle objective of LBWF [the council] for Walthamstow Town Centre by unlocking long-term physical, economic and social sustainable regeneration to create a high quality and mixed-use urban environment."
The masterplan team has been consulting over the ideas with the Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association.
The organisation wants to build a development on the Arcade site, which may feature a new cinema.
The draft plans will go on display at a public consultation event in Walthamstow Central Library at 6.30pm tonight (Wednesday April 20).
Click here to see them.
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