The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is currently undergoing a Call for Sites consultation as part of the preparation for the East of the Borough Action Plan as well as consulting on two proposed Article 4 Directions.
Identifying sites for the Tower Hamlets Area Action Plan
Titled the Sites for Change consultation, LBTH are seeking sites specifically in the east of the borough that could provide an opportunity to change the area for the better, provide useful infrastructure be it physical or social, and bring social and economic benefits such as new housing. The consultation ends on the 23rd August and the Call for Sites consultation is open to everyone, including landowners, developers and private individuals.
As with many of the London boroughs, space is at a premium and various land designations can restrict development. As such, the search for sites is focussed within two key areas; the Core Area (in blue) or the Wider Area (in red) (see map). The full search criteria can be seen here, and sites can be of any size as long as they respond to the key search criteria which include:
- strategic uses to support population and employment growth, including education, health and leisure facilities;
- new net additional homes – including sites which can provide a significant number of new homes, specialist housing, self-build and family homes;
- employment, retail or commercial sites.
How can I get involved?
If you have a potential site or sites for consideration, then you can find a site submission form here. Requested information includes personal information about the owner of the site, a brief description of the proposal along with the full site address and a site boundary map. The suitability of these sites will be weighed up against several criteria, including:
- site constraints and complexities;
- evidenced need;
- PTAL ratings;
- environmental factors;
- relevant spatial and planning designations.
Site representations must be made by 23rd August 2019.
How Plainview Planning can add value
If you are new to the planning system, then making an effective Call for Sites submission and providing the necessary evidence to support it can be challenging. Our planning consultants can advise, guide and support you through the process. We are adept at not only assessing the viability of your site for development but also at making robust and effective representations for suitable sites.
Our consultants have worked extensively across the London boroughs and we regularly monitor the latest consultations. Whether you are a private individual, developer or landowner, we can prepare an informed and strategic submission.
Proposed Article 4 Directions for Tower Hamlets – HMO’s and A1, A2 to C3
Further to the Call for Sites exercise, the borough launched a consultation on 2x proposed Article 4 Directions which will run until the 26th September 2019.
An Article 4 Direction is made by the local planning authority and restricts the scope of permitted development rights. If approved, then the Directions mean that planning permission would have to be applied for if you are seeking to carry out the prescribed development.
Tower Hamlets have already confirmed an Article 4 Direction to remove all permitted development rights for a change of use from offices (B1(a)) to residential use (C3). This came into force in June 2019 and the Council are now seeking to introduce a further two Article 4 Directions. These are:
- Changes of use from residential dwellings to small houses in multiple occupation (HMO) – This proposed Article 4 Direction would apply to the whole of the borough and seeks to remove existing permitted development rights, requiring a planning application to be submitted for proposals to change houses (C3 use class), to small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) accommodating between 3 and 6 people (C4 use class).
- Changes of use from town centre uses to residential – This proposed Direction would apply to the Central Activity Zone and town centres defined in Tower Hamlets Local Plan. It seeks to remove PD rights and would require a planning application to be submitted to convert shops (A1), financial and professional services (A2) and betting offices to a residential dwelling (C3).
The consultation is now live and runs until 26th September 2019 – you can respond to the consultation here. If the Article 4 Directions are confirmed they would come into force on 01 January 2021.
If you have a site which you feel may be suitable for development in response to the Tower Hamlets Call for Sites, or if you are seeking planning support on a change of use application, then contact Caroline via enquiries@plainview.co.uk or call us on 01242 501003 to see how we can best assist you, providing the site address and a brief overview of your project. You can also submit your site via our Landmark Page. We value your privacy and any information which you provide will not be shared outside of our company and will only be used in relation to your enquiry.
IMAGE SOURCE: LB Tower Hamlets (2019)