Central Area Good Growth SPD
Tower Hamlets adopted the Central Area Good Growth SPD on 28 July 2021.
The Central Area Good Growth Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides design guidelines supporting the development of high-quality, small-scale housing developments in the central sub-area of the borough. The SPD’s design guidelines are based on a character appraisal of the area to ensure that residential developments on small sites are sympathetic to the surrounding context and that anticipated development and growth is achieved in a balanced and positive way. The SPD is a material consideration for developments on small sites located in the Central Area of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, although it may also provide guidance that is applicable for residential developments on small sites located elsewhere in the borough.
The Central Area Good Growth SPD was prepared under Regulations 11 to 16 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Early-stage feedback was incorporated into the draft that was presented for public consultation, which took place between January and February 2021. A summary of the comments received during the public consultations and the Council’s response to them are set out in the Consultation Statement also available on the Council’s website.
Copies of the adopted SPD will be made available for public inspection at Idea Stores in Tower Hamlets.
Why is this SPD needed and how does it relate to the Local Plan?
In order to deliver much-needed homes and to plan for housing growth, the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 directs housing delivery by identifying four sub-areas to positively manage development opportunities and change at the strategic level. The sub-area found at the central part of the borough is known as the Central Area. The Central Area has a well-established character, with several conservation areas and listed buildings, as well as some of the borough’s key green spaces such as Victoria Park and Mile End.
The area is formed of several neighbourhoods, or character places, as the map below shows:
With limited land available for significant redevelopment and a sensitive character, it is expected that the Central Area will go through a gradual intensification through small-scale housing developments that are sensitive to the existing context. These may include roof/rear extensions to existing buildings, estate infills and new build developments.
The Central Area Good Growth Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) aims to:
- Provide guidance to help deliver housing growth
- Help to ensure new developments respect and enhance the well-established character of this part of the borough
- Encourage good quality, sustainable housing
- Allow for a variety of housing solutions and promote innovation where possible
- Support those involved in putting forward development proposals such as residents, homeowners, community groups, SMEs, developers and associated agents by providing more certainty on the council's aspirations
- Describe the character and buildings of the Central Area to inform context-led design
What does the SPD cover?
The Central Area Good Growth SPD provides design guidance to ensure that new small-scale housing developments proposed in the Central Area are of a high design quality and that they respond to and enhance the area’s distinctive and valued character. The SPD is informed by an updated character study of the different neighbourhoods in the Central Area, including descriptions of existing scale, urban grain and typologies. By providing design guidance directly informed by existing character, the SPD will promote Good Growth in the Central Area.
If you would like to get in touch with the project team with further questions/comments please email placeshaping@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Outline of the Central Area of Tower Hamlets:
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What are small sites?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWhat are Small Sites?
For the purposes of the SPD, small sites are defined as those of up to 0.25 hectares. Developments on these sites may include roof/rear extensions to existing buildings and new build developments. The guidance contained in the SPD applies to both extensions to existing dwellings as well as the creation of new dwellings. Developments may be as small as one residential unit and there is no defined upper limit - although it is expected that in most small sites this will be up to around 40 units.
Here are some built examples of small-scale housing developments across Tower Hamlets:
Estate Infill (Beveridge Mews - Peter Barber Architects, Photo
by Morley von Sternberg)Corner Infill (Old Ford Road – pH+ London, Photo by Tim Soar)
Street Infill (Redchurch - 31/44 Architects, Photo by Rory Gardiner)
Roof extension (Reardon Path – Proctor Matthews, Photo by Ivan Jones
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Where is the Central Area of Tower Hamlets?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe 'Central Area' of Tower Hamlets is the entire area highlighted on this map:
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Youth-focused Workshop
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkJoin a youth-focused workshop for the Central Area Good Growth consultation on 16th February!
The Tower Hamlets Place-Shaping team are looking for 20 young people, aged 16-25 years, from the borough, to be part of an exciting, two-hour online workshop on a new planning document on Tuesday, 16th of February 2pm-4pm . You will be reimbursed for your time with a voucher valued at £20. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard!
ABOUT THE CENTRAL AREA GOOD GROWTH CONSULTATION
The Central Area Good Growth consultation will run from January to February 2021. It focuses on getting input from people in the area about the proposed design guidance for the area. As part of the consultation, we want to reach out to the young residents across the borough. We believe that young people’s voice should be heard more in planning consultations, so we are proactively working to achieve that. This is especially relevant as the planning guidance we are consulting on will be adopted for a long period of time and therefore it will help to shape your future in the area.
If you are an interested and passionate young person who fits our brief, we’d love to hear from you! See below for further details and how to apply. 👇 👇 👇
WHAT DOES THE CONSULTATION OFFERS YOU?
The consultation seeks to genuinely reflect young people’s voices in the development of planning guidance in the borough. You will:
- Be part of an exciting and creative youth consultation on urban planning;
- Represent the views of young people across Tower Hamlets;
- Build a sense of pride and achievement, and some great content for your CV;
✊ We believe your time is precious, so we will reimburse you with a voucher worth £20.
WHO CAN APPLY?
We are looking for young people who live, work or study in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and have some knowledge of or connection to the Central Area.
You must also be:
- Aged 16-25;
- Enthusiastic to get involved, gain new experiences, and develop your skills;
- Respectful of others and eager to contribute as part of a team;
- Able to dedicate two hours of your time on the 16 February between 2pm and 4pm.
🤝Applications are welcomed from anyone who fulfils the criteria. No prior knowledge required.
HOW TO APPLY
You can apply by clicking here and completing the form. We will also ask for your consent to attend the workshop in the application process.
👉 Applications close at 12pm on the 10th of February 2021.SELECTION PROCESS
Your application will be reviewed by the team to make sure you fulfil the criteria, and you will be informed of the outcome by Friday 12th of February, 2021, via email.
If successful, you will need to attend the workshop on the 16th of February between 2pm and 4pm. The workshop will take place over Microsoft Teams and details of how to join the session will be sent in advance.
MORE INFORMATION
If you have any questions about the consultation process, please contact:
Mariana Schiller and Tamara Kahn, Place-Shaping Team at PlaceShaping@towerhamlets.gov.ukClick here to access the Central Area Good Growth consultation page.
Download the adopted Central Area Good Growth SPD
Who's Listening
Videos
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Recording from the Launch event presenting: - Project Background -Scope and Aims of SPD -Document Structure -Consultation