A decision by an East London council to turn down a proposal for a towering 46-storey student accommodation block has caught the attention of Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor for planning, who now has the power to reverse the decision.
Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe argued that the development at 7 Brannan Street, Canary Wharf, believing it could significantly contribute to “delivering sufficient student accommodation to support the contribution of higher education providers to London’s economy and labour market”.
The plan was narrowly rejected by Tower Hamlets Council during a strategic development committee meeting last November, with four councillors going against their own planning officers’ recommendations to refuse the project, while three supported it.
Those against the project raised concerns about potential “anti-social activity”, “noise and disturbance” affecting anyone living in the business district, and questioned the suitability of the site for student housing.
However, Mr Pipe, in his communication with the council, argued: “The proposals would contribute towards the delivery of housing, making a positive contribution towards London housing targets.
“As such, the non-delivery of 912 student bed spaces is considered to impact upon the implementation of the London Plan.”
The student accommodation planned to be 46-storeys tall and would have been for 912 students
(Image: Tower Hamlets Council)
The London Plan, which is Mayor Sadiq Khan’s vision for the city’s development, outlines the necessary housing and infrastructure to accommodate London’s growing population.
City Hall reports that only two objections were received after a council-led consultation reached out to 294 local addresses regarding the proposed scheme.
A public hearing at City Hall is now on the cards, where Mr Pipe will determine if the project gets the green light or if the council’s rejection stands, though the hearing date is yet to be scheduled. The development by WW F1 Student Development Company Limited would see around 35 per cent of its 912 bedrooms designated as “affordable” accommodation.
Room sizes vary widely, with ‘cluster rooms’ starting at a cosy 13sqm and ‘studios’ offering a more generous 28sqm. Plans also reveal a rooftop garden atop the building, promoting the tower as “a truly sustainable building with a commitment to the health and well-being of the students and the environment”.