Tower Hamlets delivers new council flats

115 new council flats have been delivered by Tower Hamlets as part of a development in Poplar.

The development consists of three buildings, ranging from four to six storeys, including 10 wheelchair adaptable units and 4 disabled parking spaces.

The completed development also includes landscape improvements within a secure central courtyard, providing cycle storage and a communal garden for residents.

Tower Hamlets Council entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the freehold interest of the social homes with Canary Wharf Group, delivering 47 one-bedroom apartments, 41 two-bedroom apartments, 18 three-bedroom apartments and 9 four-bedroom apartments for people on the housing waiting list.

John Biggs, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: ‘The completion of the Barchester Street development provides more high-quality social housing to people who are currently in overcrowded or unsuitable accommodation and will transform resident’s lives. These 115 flats at genuinely affordable council rents bring us another step closer in reaching our commitment to deliver 2,000 council homes in Tower Hamlets.’

The development was handed over from the Canary Wharf Group to Tower Hamlets Council in April 2021.

Shobi Khan, chief executive officer of Canary Wharf Group, said: ‘We are proud to meet our commitment to deliver social housing on schedule, providing these 115 new apartments for local families. In total, of the Mayor’s commitment to deliver 2,000 new council homes in the Borough, Canary Wharf Group has now delivered 476 units for social or affordable rent, nearly a quarter of all the new affordable housing.

‘At Barchester Street, we have designed and built an exceptional building for London Borough of Tower Hamlets and this has been a good example of the Borough and a developer working together to deliver a great project. It is particularly good to be able to offer large apartments including ground floor wheelchair accessible units, and beautiful architecture which celebrates the history of the site.’

In related news, property management group, Orchard & Shipman, has secured £85m of funding to provide up to 300 affordable housing units in a joint venture with Bromley Council.

Photo by Sigmund