London’s oldest canal is to become part of a new conservation area in Tower Hamlets.
The council’s cabinet have decided to grant conservation area status to Limehouse Cut.
A canal since 1770, it is lined with factories and warehouses recognised for their robust industrial architecture, representing the borough’s close connection to the docks and its associated industry.
The buildings include edifices from Victorian times and earlier, such as the medieval Bromley Town Hall.
The area is dotted with historic mooring rings, ragstone and tow horse ramps.
The conservation area status will enable the council to control more closely any changes that might affect the environment.
This includes general control over the demolition of unlisted buildings and provides the basis for policies to protect the special character and appearance of the area.
It also protects trees, reduces some permitted development rights and imposes tighter controls on advertisements.
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