Developer lowers height in second rejig for east London student tower

Developer Dominus has submitted fresh plans for a 31-storey student housing scheme in east London, following the Planning Inspectorate’s decision this spring to dismiss its appeal against a previous 34-storey proposal.

An earlier scheme for the Stratford High Street site, designed by Henley Halebrown, secured detailed planning approval in 2022.

That proposal combined student accommodation with workspace and a community pub but it was not built out before Dominus brought forward a taller 34-storey version by Howells.

But this scheme was refused by the London Legacy Development Corporation and subsequently dismissed at appeal in March, with the planning inspector finding that its height and massing breached local tall building policy and that its design would create a “monolithic slab” on the road.

The revised plans, designed by Metropolitan Workshop with landscape architect Spacehub, will provide 692 student beds.

The building would include en-suite bedrooms, large communal kitchens, landscaped roof terraces, and internal amenity spaces such as a gym, yoga studio, laundry and media room.

The public realm proposals include new outdoor spaces and planting along Stratford High Street. The scheme also proposes a replacement pub.

Located at 302-312 Stratford High Street, the site is currently vacant and fenced off. It lies within walking distance of several universities, including University College London East, London College of Fashion and the University of East London, which together accommodate more than 27,000 students.

Research by Cushman & Wakefield cited by Dominus suggests more than 10,500 students in Newham currently lack access to a bed space.

Edward Law, planning associate at Dominus, said: “Our reworked plans would transform the closed-off and vacant brownfield site to deliver much-needed student homes, a new, improved pub and significant improvements at street level. Working closely with our new project team, we have engaged in constructive discussions with local stakeholders, including Newham Council and the community on our vision for the site.”

Dominus is currently on site delivering more than 2,300 student beds across three London schemes, including Holborn Viaduct, Crutched Friars and Fleet Street.