Firethorn secures Gateway 2 approval for Hackney Wick PBSA scheme

Firethorn has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for its 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development on Stour Road in Hackney Wick, East London, allowing full-scale construction to proceed.

The approval represents a significant regulatory milestone for the project under the Building Safety Act. Gateway 2 assesses the detailed design and construction control arrangements against building safety requirements before major construction work can progress.

The Stour Road scheme will provide 204 student bed spaces, with 35% designated as affordable accommodation through a partnership with a London higher education institution or university.

The development will include co-working and study spaces, common rooms, an on-site gym and two outdoor roof terraces. Practical completion is targeted ahead of the 2028/29 academic year.

Firethorn has appointed HG Construction as main contractor, with Quartz Project Services acting as project manager and Henley Halebrown as architect.

The Gateway 2 approval enables the project to move into full-scale construction. It is the second Gateway 2 approval secured by Firethorn in the past six months, following approval for its PBSA development on Stratford High Street in London.

Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn, said the approval reflected the coordination required across the project team to demonstrate compliance with the BSR’s requirements.

He added that the milestone would allow Firethorn to continue developing the Stour Road scheme, which the company aims to deliver as high-quality, sustainable and affordable student housing.

Alongside the student accommodation, Firethorn said it will work with a local community interest group to create approximately 1,400 sq m of affordable and incubator workspace at the site.

The workspace is intended to support businesses and organisations within the local creative industries, forming part of Firethorn’s stated approach to creating community benefits alongside its developments.

The scheme is located within a student-focused area of East London and is within walking distance of University Arts London and UCL East.

The development will incorporate several sustainability measures, including the retention of the site’s historic brick chimney.

Firethorn is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating for the scheme, consistent with its stated environmental, social and governance objectives.

Adam Quinn, CEO of HG Construction, said Gateway 2 approval reflected the collaborative approach taken by the project partners and said construction was now moving into its next phase.

The Stour Road project forms part of Firethorn’s wider Living portfolio, which includes a 264-bed PBSA development on Stratford High Street in London, as well as Folk Dublin, a 716-bed hybrid hotel, and the planned office-to-hotel conversion of 5 Lloyd’s Avenue in the City of London.

The Hackney Wick development adds another PBSA project to Firethorn’s UK Living strategy, with the company targeting locations in major university markets.