Councillors reject landlord’s 1,600-home joint venture development plans against planning officer advice

However, councillors refused the application. They cited concerns about the level of affordable housing, a lack of justification for a tall building outside the council’s tall-building zone, and the impact of increased traffic and reduced sunlight in the area.

The plans include a new pedestrian route through the Abbot Road underpass, which is currently used for cars and goes under the A12 between Poplar and Newham. 

The supplementary agenda pack to the planning meeting included a number of objections, including a call for the council to undertake a survey on the impact of closing the underpass.

The pack also includes more than 20 letters of support that point out how the scheme contributes to realising the mayor of Tower Hamlets’ ambition to deliver 4,000 social rent homes by 2026.

Other supportive points include the need for bigger social homes and the fact that the current affordable housing offer on the site is predicated on a £21m grant which would be lost if planning approval is not granted. 

“This would cause great uncertainty and distress for those who have decanted from the area, but also have implications for the number of affordable homes provided and accompanying package of community benefits,” the planning document stated.

In addition, the existing dwellings have mould and damp issues and can only be remedied through regeneration and “residents cannot wait any longer for changes to begin”.

According to the supporting information, some residents said their mental health had been impacted as a result of the estate’s current condition and they thought the regeneration would help improve this.

It also points out that the local community have been at the forefront of the design and have shared their experiences of living on the estate.

This includes a residents’ ballot, in which more than 90% of Aberfeldy residents voted yes to regeneration in October 2020, on a turnout of more than 90%.

The Aberfeldy Residents’ Steering Group also submitted a letter in support, because of the right to return for all current residents and the delivery of additional affordable homes.

A spokesperson for Aberfeldy New Village said: “We are naturally very disappointed for the local residents who voted overwhelmingly for the new masterplan.

“From our work with the Aberfeldy community over the last 10 years, we know just how important the new affordable homes, green spaces, public areas and improved travel connections [of] the new masterplan would be – the fact that more than 90% of residents voted in favour of the new masterplan is testament to that.

“We will now be considering our next steps and will continue to work closely with the Aberfeldy residents and all our partners. We remain committed to delivering much-needed new homes and facilities for the Aberfeldy community.”