IN the midst of the economic gloom a ground-breaking event today signalled the start of first phase of the �180 million development of Rathbone Market.

The borough will get more than 600 new homes, a new market, shops, restaurants and a library and council offices.

The development at Rathbone Market will be delivered by English Cities Fund a joint venture between Muse Developments, The Homes and Communities Agency and Legal and General.

It will include 652 homes, the new ‘Raffy’, improved public space, space for shops and restaurants and in a second phase a new Library and front office for the Newham Council.

Rathbone Market is one of the first phases of the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme and is a priority scheme for the London Borough of Newham, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the Mayor of London and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The 680,000sq ft scheme is one of the first sites to be developed within a wider masterplan framework that sets out a vision for the regeneration of the area.

The site is in a prime spot, next to the Canning Town DLR and Underground Station with regular services to Stratford, the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, the City and the West End.

Breaking the ground at Rathbone Market marks the start of work to create a revitalised town centre.

Pictured, as LTGDC chairman Bob Lane turns the first earth, are: (L-R) Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales, ECF chairman Sir Michael Lyons, Newham Council executive member for regeneration Cllr Conor McAuley and HCA director for London David Lunts.

Also pictured is Cllr McAuley making a point at the market exhibition.

The first phase includes 271 new homes, which will be completed by late summer 2012. The market will continue to trade during the construction period for the benefit of shoppers and traders. Stallholders have been relocated next to the remaining shops at the Percy Ingle’s end of the market, bringing all the stalls and shops together to create a more vibrant market during the works. Developer ECF has appointed contractors Sisk to undertake the work.

The development is part of the Canning Town & Custom House Regeneration Programme, which aims to transform the area physically, socially and economically to create a sustainable and mixed community, where new and old residents choose to live, work and stay.

The regeneration programme will deliver more and better new homes, improved and expanded town centres at Canning Town and Custom House, improved links and connections across the A13 and between the bus and rail station as well as better quality streets and investment in infrastructure, services and community facilities.

Sir Robin said: “This development represents a crucial part of the borough’s physical and social regeneration of the borough as we approach the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We want our residents to have the same opportunities and aspirations as people living elsewhere in the capital and this project will provide our residents with a living environment of which they can be proud.”

LTGDC chairman Bob Lane, said: “Breaking the ground at Rathbone Market marks the achievement of yet another impressive delivery milestone in the renewal of Canning Town and Custom House. LTGDC’s investments to date in Canning Town’s �600 million new town centre and improving pedestrian access by the removal of the Canning Town roundabout is testament to our commitment to transforming an area and ensuring that east London realises its full economic potential.”

Jonathan Martin, HCA head of area for East London, said: “We’re supporting Newham Council’s housing and regeneration priorities for the area through our �13.8 million investment in Rathbone Market. This scheme will make a massive contribution to the entire regeneration of Custom House and Canning Town in an area that has been designated to support housing growth in London well beyond 2012.”

The 680,000sq ft Rathbone Market scheme is one of the first sites to be developed within a wider masterplan framework that sets out a vision for the regeneration of the area. The site is in a prime spot, next to the Canning Town DLR and Underground Station with regular services to Stratford, the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, the City and the West End.

The Mayor of London and the Homes and Communities Agency provided �13.8 million of funding, with an additional �1.5 million awarded from LTGDC to enable to the scheme to progress.

Work is also underway on improving pedestrian access between Canning Town station and Barking Road, by replacing the Canning Town roundabout with traffic signals and closing the slip roads on the east side. This work will be completed by April 2011.

Earlier this year, Newham Council selected Bouygues Developments and One Housing Group to re-develop the town centre in Canning Town, including the provision of over 1,000 new homes, shops, leisure facilities, quality public spaces and community spaces.

Bouygues recently chose Morrisons as the supermarket operator for the site. This development dovetails with the Rathbone Market development, boasting everyday shopping and leisure opportunities and ensuring the environment is attractive to residents both during the day and in the evening. A planning application for this development will be submitted in March 2011 with a start on site of the first phase in 2012, completed in 2014.