Proposals including data centre, offices and commercial uses, criticised for limited housing provision
The housing ministry has approved Buckley Gray Yeoman’s (BGY) controversial proposals for a major mixed-use development near east London’s famous Brick Lane.
The proposed Truman Brewery redevelopment, brought forward by Truman Estates and Zeloof LLP, have sparked widespread opposition due to their limited housing provision as well as concerns about the scheme’s heritage impact and its effect on the identity of the area.
Four separate planning applications were submitted in August 2024 for the scheme, which includes a data centre, as well as offices, retail, events spaces and a residential component.
At a maximum of 29m, the proposed 5,200 sq m data centre will be significantly taller than the existing derelict building, which is set to be demolished.
The Boiler House and Cooperage on the brownfield site will be partially demolished and refurbished, along with the construction of five new buildings to create a 35,000 sq ft scheme, comprising residential, office, retail, food and beverage, community and event spaces, and a microbrewery.
Ely’s Yard, meanwhile, will see the construction of a 4,500 sq m office and retail space.
Masterplanner BGY is just one of a number of practices collaborating on the scheme, including Chris Dyson Architects, Carmody Groarke, Morris+Company, and Henley Halebrown.
The proposals were sent to a public inquiry last October after an appeal against Tower Hamlets council’s failure to determine the application.
On Wednesday (29 July), Matthew Pennycook revealed the outcome of that inquiry in a formal decision letter sent on behalf of the housing secretary, Angela Rayner.
Pennycook explained that the inspector had recommended approval and that the secretary of state had agreed, granting permission for the data centre, a mixed-use residential and office development, and a commercial building, as well as a listed building consent for alterations to the historic boiler house.
The housing ministry found that the proposals were in accordance with the adopted development plan, in part due to their location within the City Fringe Opportunity Area.
It was acknowledged that an emerging local plan - a draft version of which was submitted in February, after the close of the public inquiry - had proposed a residential-led allocation for the sites.
However, this was only given a limited weight due to its early stage and due to unresolved objections from the landowners.
In the letter, Pennycook said that Rayner “acknowledges the housing needs of the local community, and the strongly held local views on the proposals”, but that she had seen “no detailed evidence” of the “feasibility and deliverability of an alternative residential-led scheme.”
The letter also highlighted the need for data centre capacity and praised Ely’s Yard, the commercial and office development, for its high standard of design.
The scheme was also praised for delivering 44 new homes, including six social rent units designed for large Bangladeshi families. A further five units will be classed as affordable.
The letter acknowledged that the developments would cause “less than substantial harm” to the Brick Lane and Fournier Street Conservation Area, primarily through the loss of certain historic views, but it found these to be outweighed by heritage and townscape enhancements.
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