Moves to stop contractors using Isle of Dogs vacant land for concrete panel-construction

Millwall site owned by Ballymore Homes had been empty for several years. Picture source: Advertiser Reader (Image: Archant)

Families complaining to Tower Hamlets about pollution and noise from the Reddington site in Cuba Street, Millwall, discovered there was no planning consent for the work.

Now the council is warning Reddinton that “the use of the site must cease” where reinforced concrete panels are being assembled for developers of the Landmark Pinnacle skyscraper going up in Westferry Road nearby.

The council’s compliance manager Desmond Adumekwe warned that failure to stop the work or comply with an enforcement notice could mean fines and prosecutions.

Construction staging work being carried out at Cuba Street without planning permission, says council. Picture: Mike Brooke (Image: Mike Brooke)

The move follows pressure from Tory opposition councillor Andrew Wood whose Canary Wharf ward includes the site. He first raised the issue in April—but still, the work in Cuba Street continues.

One of the neighbours in Cuba Street told the East London Advertiser: “We hear banging and hammering all day long. Trying to work from home is impossible.

Lorries deliver concrete and there is the constant thud of panels being loaded onto trucks. It looks like they’re making balconies, cutting steel rods with a noisy grinders.

Tower Hamlets Cllr Andrew Wood at the 'construction staging' site where enforcement notice has been served. Picture: Mike Brooke (Image: Mike Brooke)

“We have to keep the windows closed all day. This used to be a peaceful street—but there’s now a dramatic difference.”

The families noticed the site being used for storage in March, but the reinforcing concrete assembly work started two weeks later.

A town hall spokesman warned: “The council will shortly start enforcement action if discussions (with the company) don’t prove fruitful. We have concluded that Reddington does not have the appropriate planning permission.”

Work being carried out at the Millwall site now stopped by Tower Hamlets council enforcement order. Picture: Mike Brooke (Image: Mike Brooke)

But the noisy work is continuing in Cuba Street, witnessed by the Advertiser this week, two months after complaints were lodged at the town hall. The site had being used by Reddington had been empty several years after Ballymore Homes was refused planning permission for a tower block.

We have contacted Reddington’s in Borehamwood and are waiting for a response to the complaints.