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Tower Hamlets Council refuses planning permission for two major redevelopments


The strategic development committee (SDC) at Tower Hamlets Council has rejected two planning applications for proposed redevelopments in London.

The Council's planning committee officers have previously resolved to approve plans for both planning applications.

The first application was for the demolition and redevelopment of a mixed-use development known as Millharbour Village.  Developer, Galliard Homes' proposal covered a 6.4 acre site and included six towers ranging between 10 and 44 storeys high.  The planned development contained 1,500 new homes, a primary school, 5,820 square metres of commercial space, public parks and 387 car parking spaces.

Earlier this year the Planning Committee had resolved to grant planning permission subject to certain obligations.  However, last week the strategic development committee did not accept this recommendation and deferred the application.

According to a note of the meeting the SDC refused the scheme as there were concerns regarding the "affordability of the family size intermediate units" and a "lack of supporting infrastructure to accommodate the density of the scheme". A further worry was the level of affordable housing provided within the development.  The developer's proposal allocated 25% of the units as affordable homes which is below the 35% target.

The officers will now have to prepare a further report detailing the "reasons for refusal and the implications of the decision."

The second application was for the redevelopment of the former Nicholls and Clarke urban block site and surrounding land on the city fringe.  Developers, British Land submitted a proposal for a commercially led mixed-use redevelopment. The plans included buildings between four and 13 storeys high, office and retail space, restaurants, pubs, 40 new homes, open space and public realm works.

The planning committee had also previously resolved to grant planning permission for this development. According to the same note, the SDC refused planning permission based on concerns regarding the low number of residential units and affordable housing and the "impact and scale and massing of the proposal on the setting of the Elder Street conservation area".

Planning expert Emma Cottam of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "It will be interesting to read the more detailed grounds of refusal once the supplementary report is prepared. However until then, Developers currently considering any future development proposals in the borough may read with interest the comments in the SDC report in light of recently submitted and/or determined applications."

"For example, the recently consented Bishopsgate Goodsyard redevelopment altered the mix of housing to reduce the number of studio and one bed units, as well as providing a public car park. For example, the Millharbour scheme refused by the SDC was refused because of concerns regarding the affordability of family sized units, as well as infrastructure; specifically the provision of car parking," said Cottam. "It is therefore clear that Tower Hamlets is committed to delivering a consistent approach when determining applications of this type, and developers should be advised to consider recently considered schemes when formulating their proposals."

"This is the first SDC meeting since its reconstitution following the mayor's election and it suggests that an even tougher line is likely to be taken by members on affordable housing, at least during the political bedding-in period." said Cottam.

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