The Development Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday, 26 March 2026. The committee discussed two planning applications. The first, concerning amendments to the operating hours of Canary Wharf College Glenworth Primary School, was refused. The second, regarding a terrace structure at Discovery Dock East, was deferred for further information on fire safety.

Planning Application for Canary Wharf College Glenworth Primary School (PA/26/00164)

The committee considered a non-material amendment application for Canary Wharf College Glenworth Primary School, located at the southwest junction of Glenworth Avenue and Saunders Ness Road, E14 3EB. The application sought to amend condition 19 of a previous planning permission (PA/15/00360) to alter the school's teaching hours. The proposed change was to start teaching no later than 8:15 am and finish no later than 3:00 pm, a shift from the original condition of starting no later than 8:30 am and finishing no earlier than 3:55 pm. The stated reason for the original condition was to stagger the school's hours with those of the neighbouring St Luke's Primary School to avoid congestion and protect residents' amenity.

During the meeting, numerous objections were raised by residents and local councillors. Concerns included increased traffic congestion, unsafe parking, noise and disturbance, and potential conflicts with other nearby schools, including George Green's Secondary School. Objectors argued that the proposed changes were material and would have a significant negative impact on the local highway network and residential amenity, contrary to the council's planning policies. They also questioned the adequacy of the submitted transport statement and called for an independent traffic assessment.

The applicant, Canary Wharf College Limited, and their agent, Turley, argued that the proposed changes would increase the stagger between the school's start and end times and St Luke's, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. They also highlighted that the changes would allow support staff to move to a 35-hour week and bring the school's operational model in line with other schools.

Despite the officers' recommendation to grant the non-material amendment, the committee voted unanimously not to accept the recommendation. The committee determined that the proposed changes were material in planning terms and would have an adverse effect on residential amenity and cumulative impact on traffic congestion and highway safety, particularly when considered alongside other schools in the vicinity. Consequently, the application was refused.

Planning Application for Discovery Dock Apartments East (PA/25/01630)

The committee also considered a full planning application for a demountable terrace structure with a retractable canopy and seating at the ground floor unit of Discovery Dock Apartments East, 3 South Quay Square, E14 9RZ. The proposal aimed to formalise an external seating arrangement for a restaurant.

Objectors raised significant concerns regarding fire safety, citing a recent refusal and enforcement action from the Building Safety Regulator concerning outstanding issues with the building's external walls. They questioned the accuracy of the applicant's fire safety statement and the functionality of fire hydrants. Concerns were also raised about noise, disturbance, and anti-social behaviour impacting residents living in the apartments above the proposed terrace.

Supporters, including a resident of the building and the applicant's agent, Chris Brown from Rolfe Judd Planning, argued that the proposed terrace was an upgrade from previous arrangements, aesthetically pleasing, and would enhance the vitality of the area. They stated that the structure would be subservient to the host building and that an operational management plan, including noise mitigation measures and restricted operating hours, had been put in place. The Building Safety Regulator had been consulted and raised no objections to the proposal in relation to land use planning considerations.

However, Councillor Mufeedah Bustin raised concerns about the Building Safety Regulator's assessment, questioning whether it had fully considered the ongoing cladding issues affecting the building. Councillor Amin Rahman also raised questions about the monitoring of noise and behaviour.

Following a debate, the committee voted to defer the application. The deferral is to allow for updated comments from the Building Safety Regulator to clarify how they have taken into account the interrelationship between the proposed development and the ongoing fire safety issues affecting the wider block. The committee also noted that further information might be obtained from the council's own fire safety team.