15 November 2019
Location:
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Issue:
Airspace development adjacent to Victoria Park and in a Conservation Area.
How we helped and added value:
Our client was seeking to develop this site which currently comprises two separate blocks of 52 flats. The site is adjacent to Victoria Park and in a Conservation Area, where the associated guidance seeks to limit the height of roof extensions. Working with a team of consultants, we led on pre-application discussions with the Council which secured their acceptance of an airspace development not being in conflict with the Conservation Area guidance. As part of this process we were able to increase the number of apartments from six to eight. We then submitted a detailed planning application, which attracted a significant amount of opposition from local residents, and so we negotiated a number of amendments to the scheme whilst ensuring that the number of apartments did not decrease. The application was recommended for approval by Planning Officers but determined by the Council’s Planning Committee due to the number of objections. Alongside the architects, we presented the application to the Planning Committee and despite some opposition being maintained was able to secure their approval of the scheme. Planning permission was successfully granted for eight new apartments with the level of new floorspace maximised across the two buildings.
