195 new homes for social rent for Tower Hamlets

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Development

Tower Hamlets Council has granted planning permission for a new development that will include 195 homes for social rent.

The regeneration of New Union Wharf by East Thames Group will deliver a total of 399 new homes.

The Isle of Dogs site is currently host to a 189-home housing estate.

Built in the 1970s, East Thames plans to redevelop the estate into modern, energy efficient units which will make the most of the riverside location.

Alongside the 195 homes for social rent will be 47 for shared ownership and 157 for private sale.

The new units, which have been designed by architects Jestico +Whiles, will feature spacious outdoor areas including winter gardens and balconies.

All of the existing estate's current residents will be offered new homes first and many of them have been involved in preparing plans, designs and ideas for the project over the past two years.

East Thames' Director of Development and Property, Geoff Pearce said: "New Union Wharf is the first major estate where residents have chosen between full-scale regeneration or refurbishment to their homes. Since the residents made that decision, we’ve worked really closely with them to design the new homes, and I truly believe that their input has made a massive, positive difference to the quality of the scheme.

"The homes will not only provide a better quality of life for the existing residents, but will also offer a great new environment with housing opportunities for the local community."

Heinz Richardson, Director of Jestico + Whiles, said: "Consultation played an important role in the development of our design. Our ambition is to provide the existing community with a better place to live, whilst creating a new and confident visual identity for New Union Wharf."