Cookies help us to understand how you use our website so that we can provide you with the best experience when you are on our site. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Social media cookies:
We use social media cookies from Facebook, Twitter and Google to run Widgets, Embed Videos, Posts, Comments and to fetch profile information.
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinEmail this link
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:
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
Ask for a clarification regarding the consultation process or the document itself.
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinEmail this link
When will this guidance be seen in use in future developements?
scharmer
asked
over 1 year ago
Following Public Consultation, all comments and information received will be carefully analysed and will help to inform the SPD. It is expected that the revised SPD will be adopted in the summer 2021.
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinEmail this link
Where exactly is the "central area"?
James Frankcom
asked
over 1 year ago
Hi James, the 'Central Area' of Tower Hamlets is the entire area highlighted on this map:
Click here to play video
What is this SPD and why do we need it?
Recording from the Launch event presenting:
- Project Background
-Scope and Aims of SPD
-Document Structure
-Consultation