Tower Hamlets Council's Development Committee is considering a proposal to build 53 affordable homes on Roman Road, replacing the existing Albert Jacob House. The project, referenced as PA/24/02227, aims to provide much-needed affordable housing and enhance the local area.
The report pack notes that the proposed development would deliver 53 affordable rent homes, split evenly between London Affordable Rent and Tower Hamlets Living Rent. The specific criteria used to determine eligibility for these schemes were not detailed in the provided documentation.
The proposed development at 62 Roman Road involves demolishing Albert Jacob House and constructing a mixed-use building ranging from 5 to 9 storeys. The new building will feature commercial space on the ground floor and 53 affordable residential units above.
The development also includes landscaping works, relocation of a sub-station, and improvements to parking and servicing arrangements. The proposed development includes servicing and parking arrangements
and the relocation of a vehicular gate on Bacton Street and provision of a new service bay
. The applicant engaged in comprehensive pre-application discussions with the highways team, which is welcomed. As a result, there are no areas of disagreement in terms of the proposals. The main issue of the development is the requirement of stopping up parts of the existing highway – specifically, carriageway and footway on Bacton Street and footway on Roman Road.
The adjoining highway area on Roman Road will be repaved, and a new service bay will be created on Bacton Street. Garages and pram sheds behind Sleigh House will be replaced with a communal garden, and the play area fronting Godley VC House will be redesigned.
The planning application, submitted by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with Child Graddon Lewis/NTA Planning LLP as the architect/agent, has garnered mixed reactions from the public. While one representation supported the proposals, others raised concerns about the building's height and potential impact on light, as well as the need for more living spaces instead of commercial units. Four objections were received, citing concerns about noise, dust, and the impact on the local conservation area.
The height, scale and massing of the proposed building has been carefully considered in response to the local context and the adjacent Globe Road Conservation Area, with no identified harm to the townscape character or conservation area setting. Daylight and sunlight assessments show some shortfalls as assessed against published guidance for the proposed new homes due to site constraints and design choices, but these are balanced by positive features such as generously sized homes, dual-aspect layouts and ample external private amenity space for family dwellings.
According to the Development Committee Agenda, the Development Committee, chaired by Councillor Iqbal Hossain, was scheduled to discuss the application on Thursday 26 June 2025. The meeting was scheduled to be broadcast live on the council's website.
The Albert Jacob House Development Committee Report notes that the proposed building's height, scale, and massing have been carefully considered in relation to the local context and the adjacent Globe Road Conservation Area. The existing building is not listed and is not located within a conservation area, but it immediately adjoins the Globe Road Conservation Area to the north, with the conservation area's southern boundary extending along the northern side of Roman Road. The report also highlights that the development would deliver 53 affordable rent homes, split evenly between London Affordable Rent and Tower Hamlets Living Rent, alongside 5 ground floor commercial units providing a total of 349.81sqm of flexible Class E floorspace.
The developer has agreed to meet all of the financial contributions that are sought by the Council's Planning Obligations SPD, as follows:
- £20,284.40 towards construction phase employment skills training
- £6,196.98 towards end-use phase employment skills training
- £5,649.81 towards development Coordination and Integration
- £36,355 toward carbon emission off-setting
- £TBC towards offsite playspace contribution
The planning officer's summary recommendation was to grant planning permission with conditions and planning obligations.