This transformative project will replace our much-loved but ageing building with a modern, purpose-built design: a versatile community space on the ground floor with socially responsible housing above, where residents can thrive and local life can flourish.

 
 

What is Creative
Community Living?

Creative Community Living is an innovative model that combines affordable homes with vibrant community spaces, designed to foster connection, creativity and sustainable living. It offers a framework to address today's urgent housing shortage and the need for inclusive shared spaces at a local scale, reducing social isolation and supporting creative enterprise.

 

Pillar 1

Community space: Releasing creativity and enterprise

 

With a chronic shortage of community facilities facing our city, the need for spaces like Endlesham Hall is greater than ever. The new building will provide everyday opportunities for local people and residents to access a high-quality, versatile and affordable shared space on their doorstep.

 

  • Positive relationships are essential for living happier, healthier lives, and community hubs play a vital role in reducing isolation, fostering connection, and strengthening community ties.

    The new hall is designed to bring people together. With a vibrant programme of activities, it will provide a welcoming space to build relationships through a myriad of shared interests. Our aim is to cater for people of all ages and abilities.

  • Endlesham Hall has a proud history of nurturing creativity in the community. Our vision is to create space for ideas and innovation to flourish, welcoming locals to connect, share knowledge, and build a supportive network close to home.

    We hope the new space will inspire and empower artists of all ages and backgrounds, while offering local entrepreneurs opportunities to collaborate and grow together.

  • The highly versatile layout will support a wide variety of activities, large and small: everything from music, dance and theatre rehearsals to photography and filming, as well as hosting public events like film screenings, performances, exhibitions, and celebrations.

    Effective soundproofing will enable multiple activities to take place at once without interruption, making the most of the available facilities. Whether for sports, education, workshops, or celebrations, the adaptable spaces are designed for creating, collaborating, and connecting.

  • A new building enables us to greatly improve the hall’s accessibility, accommodating the needs of different age groups and abilities. The much-improved design will meet accessibility standards for bathrooms and include ramps and wider doors for better mobility throughout.

  • The innovative combination of community space and housing makes the project financially sustainable long into the future. It will be entirely self-financing with income from rental accommodation and venue hire, ensuring the space remains open for all.

 

Pillar 2

Innovative Housing: Restoring Connection

 

With a new building, we can play our part in addressing London’s desperate housing need. Working with J49, a Registered Housing Provider, we’ll create seven studio apartments above the community space, aimed at young adults and rented at socially responsible rates.

Living at Endlesham Hall will offer young residents a safe, supportive and creative environment during a crucial phase of life. With plenty of opportunities to get involved, we hope each generation will benefit from being a part of this vibrant community.

 

  • The accommodation will primarily be for young people aged 18-35, including those entering work for the first time and learning to live independently. We hope to offer places to new teachers and those starting work in the NHS who cannot afford to live in the borough.

  • Working with Registered Housing Provider J49, we’ll offer secure 3–5 year tenancies that give stability and assurance for residents as they build a path to a more independent life and permanent home.

  • The building design will promote wellbeing, social interaction and sustainable living, with high-quality living spaces and a shared garden to provide residents with access to nature.

  • Rental rates will be guided by the London Affordable Rent, a target introduced by the London Mayor and set annually by the GLA, to make homes more affordable for lower-income residents.

 
 

Endlesham Hall has a rich history of bringing people together. The new homes will become part of this existing community as the hall continues to host a thriving programme of activities. While living independently, residents can enjoy a sense of interdependence with each other and the wider community. 

Creativity and connection are at the heart of the new hall, with facilities suited to activities like dance, drama, music, exhibitions, rehearsals and performances. Residents will have the opportunity for creative networking and access to use the community space for their own initiatives.

Endlesham Hall Trust and J49 will work together to provide workshops and mentoring, helping residents gain the confidence and skills to achieve a long-term home. This may include employment and skills training, professional networking, a business start up hub, health and wellbeing classes, and more.

The wider impact

A model for communities everywhere

New Endlesham Hall is part of a growing movement. Across the UK, Creative Community Living projects are redefining community infrastructure, combining genuinely affordable homes with shared spaces that bring neighbourhoods together. By showing what's possible when local people lead development, we can inspire change across London and beyond — creating a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive communities everywhere.

  • Small and medium developments are key to solving the housing crisis. By creating a replicable model for hyper-local projects, we're showing how communities can deliver genuinely affordable homes while mitigating isolation.

  • Creative Community Living isn't one-size-fits-all. It's a highly customisable approach that communities can adapt to their own needs, ensuring spaces truly serve the people who use them.

  • We’re committed to sharing our insights and experiences to help others learn and build on our work. Through partnerships with local authorities, housing organisations, and government bodies, we aim to influence policies that support community-led development nationwide.