Cressy Place
Update - 30th April 2025
New homes and community centre at Cressy Place – Planning approved
The proposed Cressy Place redevelopment scheme has been approved at the Local Planning Authority’s Development Committee on Thursday, 24th April 2025. The approved scheme (Planning Reference: PA/24/01832) includes 31 new affordable homes for rent, including wheelchair accessible homes and with over half of the homes being family sized, as well as and an improved, purpose-built community centre, designed specifically to meet the needs of the community.
If you would like to view the Planning Application, please click on this link Simple Search and input the Planning Reference number PA/24/01832
The scheme comprises two blocks. Block A is located on the site of the former garage and forecourt and provides residential units on all floors. Block B sits where the existing community centre is located at 2-6 Cressy Place, and provides an improved, purpose-built community centre on the ground floor and residential units on upper floors.
The scheme will deliver 31 new homes, including 17 family sized with three accessible homes. The accessible homes are located on the ground floor, and they will have direct access to their dedicated disabled parking bays. The affordable rents will be split 50/50 between London Affordable Rent (LAR) and Tower Hamlets Living Rent (THLR). This scheme supports the Mayor’s pledge to provide high-quality, affordable homes for rent within the borough.
The new development will significantly improve upon the existing community centre, that was originally created by combining three retail shops. The new modern, purpose-built facility will be designed specifically to meet the needs of the community and support a wide range of activities. Located in a prominent and easily accessible ground-floor position, the new centre will offer an even more functional and inclusive space. In addition, enhancements to the surrounding public realm will improve the overall appearance of the area, promote a stronger sense of safety, and help reduce anti-social behaviour.
The programme going forward
- Demolition of garages: April 2025
- Commencement of construction: 2026
- Completion and handover: 2028
Phases
What we showed you in previous Consultation events
Cressy Place Consultation Material
Tower Hamlets Council have embarked on a build programme aiming to deliver 2,000 new homes over a 4 year period as currently the Council has more than 21,000 people on its housing register, with many residents in acute housing need. This is supported by The Mayor of London who is committed to making Tower Hamlets a place where people can live in high quality affordable homes. Cressy Place has been identified as a site appropriate for development. Tower Hamlets Council are also providing a number of private rented homes for market rent for local people under their wholly owned housing company to ensure that the scheme overall is viable. The site fronts onto Cressy Place, and is a 3 minute walk away from Stepney Green Station to the North. To the south-east is Stepney Green Park which is a 4 minute walk.
Existing Site
A central approach taken for the project is the principle of minimising encroachment of the green open space. Therefore, the proposed development will be situated on the existing hardstanding area, which will reinstate the street presence of Cressy Place. Neighbouring buildings surrounding the site are predominantly four storey residential blocks. Though it should be noted that Cressy and Dunstan House have increased floor to ceiling heights, along with pitched roofs, chimneys and additional decorative features which increase their overall height.
Cressy Place Proposal
The proposed development comprises of 22 units, 9 of which are market rent with the remaining 13 units being affordable rent. 10% of the unit mix is will be allocated for wheelchair accessible units on the ground floor with associated blue badge parking. Cycle parking and refuse storage capacity will each meet local planning requirements. A Parking Bays survey has been undertaken which has resulted in parking spaces being provided, accounting for displaced parking, blue badge parking and provision for new family sized units. The landscape design scheme proposes to resurface the current access route and transform it into a community space with outdoor amenities, a route to the new play area, and into the open space. The proposal will provide a small informal play area for younger children.
Each dwelling is designed to the Nationally Described Space Standard and current Building Regulations. The proposal is intended to echo the local character with principal use of brick frontages.