News Tower Hamlets and PRP secure planning for ‘car free’ Clichy Estate

Tower Hamlets and PRP secure planning for ‘car free’ Clichy Estate

Press Releases

March 31, 2022

Planning permission has been granted to replace three ageing council blocks in Stepney with 412 homes, new community facilities and green spaces. In line with the Council’s housing aspirations, 42 per cent of new homes will be affordable, with 56 per cent of these intended for larger families. The scheme has been designed to be entirely car free and energy efficient.

PRP was appointed by the council in 2019 to provide architecture, daylight, sunlight and overshadowing assessments, principal designer and landscape architecture services on the scheme.

New homes built on the site will be energy efficient, of high design quality and meet modern space standards. As part of the redevelopment, the council will be providing replacement community facilities, likely to be occupied by the existing local faith group, alongside new and improved landscaping and lighting, and a play area to benefit local residents and the wider community. The scheme will be entirely ‘car free’ with 34 podium parking spaces available for adapted/wheelchair accessible homes enabling the creation of more green and open spaces.

In March 2020, residents voted overwhelmingly (98 per cent) in favour of regeneration on a 93 per cent turnout, despite the country going into national lockdown.

The architectural design references the miss and hit pattern that can be found on the estate’s three original buildings, and adapts it to the new architecture to better connect the new buildings to the site’s history and its wider context. Originally built for the families of serving Metropolitan Police officers, this pattern is reminiscent of the ‘Sillitoe Tartan’ first introduced by Sir Percy Sillitoe in 1932, Chief Constable of the City of Glasgow Police, and now used throughout the world.

The impact of climate change has been considered in the landscape design for the new development, the proposals incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage and soft landscape elements that aid in mitigating the impact of climate change and extreme weather such as the inclusion of a raingarden, green roofs, ecological features such as bug boxes, tree planting, and bee friendly pollinating plants.

Stephen Martin, Associate Director at PRP comments: “We are thrilled to have obtained this planning permission on behalf of our client, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, as it is the latest stage in the journey we have taken with residents. We have, since the start of the ballot process listened to, and worked closely with the residents and stakeholders for over two years, so this approval represents their wishes for the regeneration of their new homes and community. The high quality of the design is testament to the continuous engagement with residents from start to finish.

We look forward to continue to work with the residents on the final part of this journey; ensuring that this shared vision is delivered, not just for them, but also for the wider community and the council”.

Winnie Osei, Project Manager at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets said: “A significant amount of work was involved in securing the positive decision, ranging from the continued engagement with residents, and working closely with the design team, particularly PRP. This has culminated in a scheme to be proud of from the perspective of design, place making and building high quality homes. We are delighted about this great and positive outcome for the borough and its residents.”