Tower Hamlets Council names seven new conservation areas

In celebration of the East End’s huge range of historic and architectural treasures, Tower Hamlets Council has agreed to seven new Conservation Areas and 18 revisions to existing Conservation Areas.

At a Cabinet meeting this week, Members agreed to new criteria that can define a Conservation Area, such as it being an area of special architectural and historic interest.

Cllr Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development, welcomed the decision: “Tower Hamlets has a rich history and hundreds of much-loved old buildings. These new Conservation Areas will help preserve many well known landmarks, such as Wilton’s Music Hall, the last surviving grand music hall in the world.

“I am especially pleased that we have also been able to introduce some protection for so much of the East End's industrial heritage along the Regents canal and on Fish Island in Bow, and hope this ensures any new development is in sympathy with that environment."

Wilton’s Music Hall, which has gained celebrity support from the likes of Hugh Grant, Ian McKellen, the Royal family and Helen Mirren, is the last surviving and oldest grand music hall in the world. Wilton’s has now transformed itself into a centre for cultural and artistic excellence.

The new Conservation Areas are:-
• Brickfield Gardens
• Fish Island
• Hackney Road
• Wilton’s Music Hall
• Old Bethnal Green Road
• Redchurch Street
• Regent’s Canal.

The Conservation Areas where boundary revisions are proposed are:-
• Albert Gardens, Limehouse
• Bethnal Green Gardens
• Coldharbour, Isle of Dogs
• Driffield Road, Bow
• Fournier Street and Brick Lane
• Globe Road, Bethnal Green
• Jesus Hospital Estate, Bethnal Green
• Langdon Park, Poplar
• Narrow Street, Wapping
• St Annes Church
• St George in the East
• Stepney Green
• York Square, Limehouse
• Roman Road
• Wapping Pier Head
• Wapping Wall
• Whitechapel Market
• Victoria Park.