What we showed you in February & March 2024
Update March 2024
Revised planning application submitted
We are pleased to announce that a revised application for the HAP Regeneration Scheme was submitted to the Local Planning Authority on 1st March 2024. If you would like to view the planning application and any of its associated documents, its reference number is PA/24/00368. The planning portal can be accessed via the council’s planning portal using this weblink https://development.towerhamlets.gov.uk/online-applications/
Buy-backs update
Since June 2023 we have begun buying back properties on the estate from those wishing to sell their property and move/invest elsewhere. To date 5 completions have taken place and 10 cases are going through the selling process. These flats will not be left empty but used in the meantime as temporary accommodation for households currently in less suitable and more expensive temporary accommodation.
Rehousing drop-in sessions (date for your diary!)
The team are aware that while plenty of residents are eager to engage in the rehousing process, many residents feel some concern about this area, given all the different aspects to think about. To try and assist you, the council is hosting two re-housing drop-in sessions where officers will be availabe for you to come and discuss your rehousing. Secure tenants will be able to talk to staff from the Lettings Team regarding decant status and their housing options. Resident and Non-resident leaseholders will be able to discuss any issues they have regarding valuation or compensation with JLL, the council’s valuers for this project. Members of the Project Team will also be in attendance to discuss any other re-housing matters.
Dates: Tuesday 16 April from 1PM - 5PM & Thursday 18 April from 4PM - 7PM
Venue: 262 Stepney Way (Redcoat building next door to the mosque)
Selling Your Property to the Council
If you are a leaseholder and have yet to have your property surveyed for the purpose of selling your home, then please contact JLL, so they can visit you and carry out a valuation. This an important step, even if you are intending to remain on the estate in one of the newly build homes. You can contact JLL by calling Tim Surry on 07548 099 645 or email tim.surry@jll.com
A New Development Partner
The council has started the process of selecting a developer partner and this work will increase in the coming months. Two members of the Residents’ Panel have volunteered to help in the selection process. Once a developer is chosen it will be announced in the summer newsletter along with an updated timeline for the scheme.
What we showed you in February 2024
In our last public consultation, we brought you the below material.
https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/5813/widgets/90348/documents/56444
Updated Buy-Back Guides
We have now updated our buy-back guides and copies of these can be found within the Documents section of this page. The new updated guides are for Resident and Non-resident Leaseholders. The buy-back process has commenced and the Council has appointed JLL as the Valuers for your property. Please contact JLL directly, who have written to you separately, with any queries.
Programme
Harriott, Apsley, Pattison Houses - Newsletter December 2022
This year has been one of change in Tower Hamlets with the election of a new Mayor and administration which brought some new councillors and Cabinet members on board who are also keen to deliver much needed new housing in the borough. It may not feel like there has been a lot going on, but behind the scenes the team has been progressing towards securing full planning approval, bringing the newly elected Mayor up to date on scheme progress and considering alternative designs for the mosque and community centre.
Residents Panel
The Residents’ Panel has remained engaged throughout the past year, with meetings in January, May, June, September and November. They have worked hard on behalf of residents by providing useful feedback to the project team on communications with the community as well as informing officers of feelings on the estate during the ups and downs of the last year. The project team heard from the Panel about their concerns regarding the recent delay to securing planning permission and officers are pushing hard to see this confirmed in the early part of 2023.
Looking ahead to 2023
Leaseholders will be contacted in January to announce the launch of the buy-back package in February and the commencement of voluntary negotiations to acquire homes on the estate, particularly for those not wishing/eligible to take-up one of the new homes to be built. An external valuer is currently being appointed and this process is expected to be finished in January 2023; this will enable individual meetings to start with leaseholders on the valuation of their properties. For further background information on the rehousing/buy-back programme please see the ‘Key Documents’ section of the scheme’s webpage using the link below. We will be writing to you closer to the time to confirm the start of the buy-back programme and providing full details.
Upon confirmation of the planning decision in 2023, the project will move into another new phase, when we will be able to launch the rehousing programme for secure tenants. Decant status has already been approved in principle by the Common Housing Register Forum and will go live once all planning approvals are agreed between the Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA). Once the council has the seal of approval from the GLA, colleagues in the Housing Options Team will start their liaison with tenants to discuss individual decant options.
