Plans to redevelop Albert Jacob House in Tower Hamlets have sparked a debate, as the Tower Hamlets Development Committee convened on Thursday 26 June 2025 to discuss the proposal.
The committee considered planning application PA/24/02227 for the demolition of the existing Albert Jacob House at 62 Roman Road, London, E2 0PG, and the redevelopment of the site into a mixed-use building. The proposal includes a building of 5 to 9 storeys, commercial space at ground floor level, and 53 affordable residential units at ground and upper floor levels.
The applicant for the planning permission is the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with Child Graddon Lewis/NTA Planning LLP as the architect/agent. According to the Public reports pack 26th-Jun-2025 18.30 Development Committee.pdf, the proposed 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 development site is near the Globe Road Conservation Area and other heritage assets, including the Grade II listed London Buddhist Centre and Sulkin House. The Albert Jacob House Development Committee Report FINAL1.pdf notes that six representations were received during the public consultation, with mixed reactions to the proposal.
Other matters discussed at the meeting, according to the Agenda frontsheet 26th-Jun-2025 18.30 Development Committee.pdf, included the election of a Vice-Chair for the committee for the municipal year 2025-26, confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, and noting the Development Committee terms of reference, quorum, membership and dates of meetings for 2025/2026.
The planning officer's summary recommendation was to grant planning permission with conditions and planning obligations.