Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved plans for 32 new social-rented homes at Brunton Wharf, a development that will also include significant improvements to landscaping and security across the estate. The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, allows the council to utilise its powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. This legal mechanism permits the council to override third-party rights, such as rights to light, to ensure development projects can proceed without significant delays. For the Brunton Wharf development, the council is using these powers to override third party rights and easements (in particular, Rights to Light)
that could otherwise impede delivery
of the approved scheme.
The Brunton Wharf scheme, located in Salmon Lane, will provide 15 family-sized properties as part of the 32 new homes. Planning permission for this project was already secured in March 2022. The council aims to start on-site with the main works with contracts in early 2027.
The exact completion timeline is not specified.
Specific improvements planned for landscaping and security include improved landscaping for that area
and security enhancements to the wider estate including improvement to the under-croft parking area at the foot of Anglian House back into use, with associated amenity areas, cycle parking, refuse/recycling stores and landscaping.
Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, highlighted the importance of these developments in addressing the borough's acute housing needs. There are currently circa 30,000 households on the Council's Housing Register, of which nearly 50% are in urgent housing need,
he stated, underscoring the commitment to increasing the supply of genuinely affordable homes and contributing to the reduction of the housing register. The council is exploring similar developments on several council-owned sites across the borough,
including Cressy Place, Caxton Grove, Copenhagen Place, and Arnold Road Development.
Further details on the council's housing strategy and approved developments can be found in the public reports pack for the Cabinet meeting. Public reports pack 23rd Sep 2026