Thread by @Andrewwood17

Not tackling the housing crisis
A thread about the failure of TH Council to actually do what they promise
Last week I read a report about new TH Council housing application on Southern Grove in Mile End where the Veolia depot was (Council own the land) when I spotted an error
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It said the site was 12 minutes walk to Mile End tube station (Central, District & Hammersmith & City)
Probably a typo as it did say the Public Transport Accessibility Level was 6a (where 6b best & 1 worst)
Close to two cycle super highways, 9 bus routes within 3 minutes walk
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11 minutes walk to a DLR station at Bow Church
In other words one of the best connected sites in TH
Close to two major parks + shops/cafes etc
Easy bus ride to several major supermarkets
And it is 2 minutes walk to Mile End station I checked
So how big is this proposed
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development on Council owned land?
42 all affordable homes in a part-4, part-5, part-6 storey building (replacing office building in front, left side of 1st picture)
+ 36 all private in the old Southern Grove Lodge to help pay for it (in the old building at back)
= 78 homes!
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On Isle of Dogs for a site of this size in locations with less good transport links could easily build 75 storey 984 apartments!
But even locally there are many buildings nearby taller then 6 storeys
19 storey Ennerdale House on right
23 storey 1966 built Lewes House at back
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1st pic around corner 7 & 11 storeys
2nd pic 6 storey but Council plan to add 2 storeys on top
3rd pic further away but new 9 storey
4th pic adjoining street another new 9 storey
So why is this new building with such fantastic transport connections only 4 to 6 storeys?
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Even across the road the Council plan to make this 4 storey a 6 storey by adding 2 extra storeys
If building is taller = the more affordable homes you can provide
What could be the reasons for not wanting extra height at this fantastic well located location?
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It cannot be because of Cemetery park, once inside the trees hide all views & on the edges you can see tall buildings that got planning permission in recent years i.e. this 9 storey
On Isle of Dogs ASDA got planning permission at 23 storeys right next to Mudchute Farm
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What about heritage?
The Spire 67 storey got planning permission next to conservation area & one Grade I listed & two Grade II listed buildings
Dollar Bay 31 storey got planning permission right next to Coldharbour conservation area
So heritage does not stop tall buildings
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Southern Grove Lodge is a Victorian former workhouse constructed in c1872 has been vacant for 13 years, was used as offices (what a waste of a building 2 minutes from a key underground station)
It will be good to open this up but not a reason for not also having tall building
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I wish the Council were ambitious enough to build a tall building here
4-6 storeys 42 affordable homes is not ambitious
But why not something closer in height to the 19 storey Ennerdale House, a tennis ball throw away or at least 9 storey like other new developments nearby
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So tomorrow night I will be asking the Development Committee whether they really believe that there is a housing crisis or not
If they agree they will reject this application and ask for something taller
If not it means that actually other things are
democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ieListDocument…
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more important then affordable homes on Council owned land 2 minutes walk from an Underground station with 3 lines + 9 bus routes nearby + two cycle super highway + two parks + DLR station 11 minutes away
A location like that in Aldgate/Aberfeldy or Isle of Dogs would be huge
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Forgot to mention planning application for the gas works site on the other side of cemetery park
Currently looking at buildings around 20-22 storeys in height in a location with less good transport links
development.towerhamlets.gov.uk/online-applica…
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