The Development Committee met, chaired by Councillor Iqbal Hossain, Chair of Development Committee, and approved the demolition of Albert Jacob House and redevelopment of the site to provide a mixed-use development. The new development will include commercial space and 53 affordable residential units, along with associated landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

Albert Jacob House Redevelopment

The committee approved the application for the demolition of Albert Jacob House at 62 Roman Road and its redevelopment into a mixed-use building ranging from five to nine storeys. The new building will feature commercial units (Use Class E¹) at ground floor level and 53 affordable residential units (Use Class C3²) on the upper floors.

Key aspects of the approved development:

• Affordable Housing: The development will provide 53 affordable rent homes, split evenly between London Affordable Rent and Tower Hamlets Living Rent.
• Housing Mix: The development will include a mix of unit sizes, with a focus on larger family homes.
• Commercial Space: The ground floor will feature 349.81sqm of flexible Class E commercial space across five units.
• Design and Heritage: The building's height, scale, and massing have been carefully considered to respond to the local context and the adjacent Globe Road Conservation Area.
• Sustainability: The development incorporates energy-efficient measures and aims to reduce carbon emissions.
• Accessibility: Six of the residential units will be fully wheelchair accessible, meeting Building Regulations requirement M4(3).
• Public Realm Improvements: The project includes repaving the adjoining highway area on Roman Road, relocating a vehicular gate on Bacton Street, and redesigning the play area fronting Godley VC House.

Concerns and Mitigation:

• Daylight and Sunlight: Concerns were raised about the impact on daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties, particularly Godley VC House and Butler House. Officers stated that the impacts were acceptable when weighed against the wider benefits of the scheme, and that many of the affected windows served non-habitable rooms or were already impacted by existing building features.
  • Councillor Marc Francis asked for clarification on the impacts on daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties, particularly in Godley VC House and Butler House. Officers responded that many of the affected windows were in kitchens or hallways, and that the impacts were acceptable in the context of the town centre location.
• Child Play Space: The development does not fully meet the requirements for child play space. To mitigate this, the developer will make a financial contribution towards improvements to play spaces in the wider locality.
  • Councillor Marc Francis questioned why the development did not meet the requirements for child play space. Officers responded that the site was constrained, and that a financial contribution would be made to improve play spaces elsewhere.
• Mobility Scooter Storage: A resident raised concerns about the loss of storage for a mobility scooter due to the demolition of an existing shed. Officers said they were not aware of this issue, but would look into alternative storage options.
• Commercial Unit Strategy: The committee discussed the importance of ensuring that the commercial units are used by start-ups and local businesses. It was agreed that a commercial space strategy would be developed to prioritise these types of businesses.
  • Simon Westmorland, Team Leader West, suggested that a commercial space strategy be put in place to ensure that the units are used by start-ups and local businesses.

Financial Contributions and Obligations:

The developer has agreed to the following financial contributions and obligations:

• £36,355 towards carbon emission offsetting
• £20,284.40 towards construction phase employment skills training
• £6,196.98 towards end-use phase employment skills training
• £5,649.81 towards development coordination and integration
• A contribution towards offsite playspace improvements

Statements:

Councillor Marc Francis noted the need to address the housing crisis and create new council housing, but also raised concerns about the impact on neighbouring amenity. He also hoped that the development would continue to be known as Albert Jacob House, after a former councillor.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan supported the development, particularly the provision of family-sized homes.

Other Business

Election of Vice-Chair

Councillor Amin Rahman, Chair of Strategic Development Committee, was appointed as Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2025-2026.

Development Committee Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of Meetings 2025/2026

Jack Painter, Acting Democratic Service Team Leader, presented a report outlining the terms of reference, quorum, membership, and meeting dates for the committee in 2025/2026. The committee noted the report.

Councillor Marc Francis noted a clash between the dates of the Development Committee meetings and the Audit Committee meetings. Jack Painter responded that Democratic Services were aware of the issue and were looking to amend the dates.