The Development Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, to discuss several planning applications and a tree preservation order. Key decisions included granting planning permission for a major estate regeneration project at the Harriot, Apsley and Pattison Houses and Redcoat Community Centre site in Stepney Green, approving a roof extension at 8 Whites Row, and confirming a Tree Preservation Order for two trees on the Dinmont Estate.

Redevelopment of Harriot, Apsley & Pattison Houses and Redcoat Community Centre, Stepney Green

The committee granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Harriot, Apsley, and Pattison Houses site, which includes the demolition of existing buildings to provide 407 new residential units and a 1,167m² community centre. The approved scheme is a revised version of a previously permitted development, with key changes including the relocation of the community centre to a standalone building and the incorporation of second staircases in taller blocks for fire safety. The development will re-provide 64 existing homes and deliver an additional 343 new homes, with 53.3% of the total habitable rooms being affordable housing. Councillors debated the reduction in family-sized intermediate homes compared to the previous scheme, but ultimately supported the proposal due to the overall increase in affordable housing and the benefits to the area.

8 Whites Row, London

Planning permission was granted for a two-storey roof extension at 8 Whites Row to create a four-bedroom duplex apartment. This application was brought to the committee due to over 20 objections received. Concerns raised by objectors included the impact on daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties, insufficient refuse storage, fire safety, and the design's impact on the Artillery Passage Conservation Area. The applicant argued that the proposal was largely identical to a previously approved scheme in 2021 and that any impacts were acceptable. The committee voted to grant permission, with conditions attached, noting the precedent set by the previous approval and the applicant's commitment to addressing refuse and cycle storage issues.

Confirmation of the Dinmont Estate E2 Tree Preservation Order 2024/2

The committee confirmed a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for a London Plane (T1) and a Whitebeam (T2) tree on the Dinmont Estate. An interim TPO had been served in February 2024 due to concerns that development proposals by Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) could lead to the removal of these trees. THCH objected to the TPO, arguing that replacement planting could mitigate any impact and that the trees' amenity value did not warrant protection. However, the council's arboricultural officer assessed both trees as having significant amenity value and being at foreseeable risk from development pressures. The committee voted unanimously to confirm the TPO, providing long-term protection for the trees.