A community space in Thomas More Square has been secured on a permanent basis, following a decision by Tower Hamlets Council's Strategic Development Committee.

The community space, consisting of two units in Building 7, totals 370 square meters (GIA). The capacity of the community space is not specified in the meeting information.

The committee met on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, to discuss a deferred planning application, PA/25/00457/NC, for 27-29 Thomas More Square. The application included a part change of use to higher and further education, the use of two units for community purposes, and amendments to existing car and cycle parking provision.

The application had been deferred from a previous meeting on 3 September 2024, to address concerns that the community floor space should be permanent and offered to the council to manage.

Paul Beckham, Head of Strategic Management, Planning and Building Control, explained that the description of the development had been amended to reflect that the community use would now be a permanent change of use rather than temporary.

Holly, case officer, presented the application, explaining that the applicant had been in advanced discussions with the community space operator Biohub since before the submission of the original planning application. Because of the advanced nature of these talks, the space could not be offered fully to the council once planning permission had been granted. However, the applicant and Biohub had agreed to:

  • A willingness, secured through the section 106 legal agreement, for the community purpose space to be jointly used by the council to host events and invite local people and groups to use the space, as well as to host joint events with Biohub when relevant.
  • The space would be offered to the council for first right of refusal to occupy the space from the outset should Biohub not take up the lease.
  • The space would be offered to the council on a first right of refusal basis if the proposed tenant subsequently gave notice of their intention not to renew the lease.

The updated strategy would include the developer and tenant using reasonable endeavours to:

  • Work with local secondary and primary schools with an objective of working with at least three borough schools in any calendar year.
  • Work with a diverse range of local groups and resident groups from St. Catharines and Wapping Ward, as well as neighbouring Shadwell and Whitechapel wards.
  • Have the objective of working each year with a minimum of five local charities, third sector organisations, community groups and social enterprises.

Councillor Iqbal Hossain sought clarification on the permanence of the community centre, saying that it was not an absolute guarantee that the community centre would be permanent. Paul Beckham clarified that the reference to community use said 'temporary for three years' last time, but that this had been removed.

Councillor Shuba Hussein asked if there were actual planning policies around the council running a community centre. Paul Beckham responded that there were development plan policies around the provision of community space, but no explicit policy requirement around who manages that space.

Ian, Principal Lawyer, Planning Legal Service, added that for a Section 106 agreement to be valid, what was being asked for must be necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

The application also included amendments to existing car and cycle parking provision. For the Thomas More Square development, the updated strategy includes management of car parking, controlling all non-disabled person parking bays and widened bays to not be used by the education use at any time, and management of cycle spaces. For the ArcelorMittal Orbit application, the proposal would see an increase in cycle parking on site and a decrease in car parking.

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission, subject to the updated heads of terms. The full meeting can be viewed on the council's website.