Campaigners face another battle over conservation area housing block

CAMPAIGNERS who won a series of victories against a housing block up to seven stories high now fear their protest could be undermined.

By Else Kvist

CAMPAIGNERS who won a series of victories against a housing block up to seven stories high now fear their protest could be undermined.

Residents at Gun Wharf, along the Hertford Union Canal, off Old Ford Road in Bow, successfully campaigned against a housing block up to seven stories high.

The developers were forced to scale the development within the Victoria Park conservation area down to four storeys, after Tower Hamlets council rejected their plans, which was then approved. But now Durkan Estates have put in a fresh planning application

Resident Kate Garcia said: "We thought it was the end of the matter. But now they are asking permission to either do away with the provision of affordable housing or add another storey. They also want to more than halve their contribution to the local authority by way of a section 106 agreement.

"It does not seem right for Durkan to effectively issue an ultimatum to councilors, permit an extra storey or we won't provide any affordable housing. Tower Hamlets needs affordable housing but it also needs to protect its conservation area.

"The residents are keen to see permission refused and just hope Durkan will either build the four storey development or sell the site and leave us alone!"

Head of Durkan Estates, Mike Hooper declined to comment on the residents' comments instead referring to the planning application.

Responses can be emailed here to Tower Hamlets planning officer by January 30. The planning applicationPA/09/02543, can be viewed online.