Security gates at Isle of Dogs flats set to be refused

Planning chiefs are set to turn down efforts to put up gates around a collection of east London apartments.

Property managers at St David’s Square on the Isle of Dogs wanted to erect entrance gates at the face of Westferry Road, Ferry Street and the Thames Walkway.

The gates would be 1.6 metres high and would have restricted access for residents only.

But Tower Hamlets Council’s planning officers have recommended that the Development Committee refuses the plan when it meets on April 6.

They say the proposal would restrict public access and results in an “unacceptable form of development that would fail to achieve an inclusive and permeable environment”.

There are also concerns the square would be segregated from the rest of the neighbourhood and the plans would lead to the loss of a route onto the Thames Path walkway.

Their recommendation to refuse came despite 138 local residents giving their support to the plan, with just two objecting.

The supporting letters talked about the need to increase security at St David’s Square in the light of recent anti-social behaviour, theft and vandalism.

There have also been reports of people using the water feature as a bathing pool.

One of the objections talked about the gates giving the effect of a prison-like development.

The St Davids Square development is a large site covering 2.73 hectares and is roughly rectangular in shape.

The site comprises of eight main development blocks with some perimeter housing fronting Westferry Road.