McLaren’s 300-Home Tower Block Proposed for Tower Hamlets Neptune Wharf 2026

Key Points

• More than 300 homes could be built at Neptune Wharf in Fish Island, Tower Hamlets, as per details submitted to the council.
• Housing developer McLaren is considering constructing two buildings on land between Wansbeck Road, Monier Road, and Remus Road.
• The proposed buildings would range between seven and ten storeys high.
• Plans include community spaces and amenity space within the development.
• The proposal was revealed through a request for a screening opinion submitted to Tower Hamlets Council last month.
• This submission is not a full planning application but seeks advice on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be required if a formal application is made.
• The site is located in Fish Island, an area known for its industrial heritage and proximity to emerging residential developments in East London.
• No final decision has been made, and the screening opinion process is an initial step in the planning procedure.

Tower Hamlets (East London News) February 10, 2026 – A proposal for a new tower block development that could deliver more than 300 homes at Neptune Wharf in Fish Island has been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council by housing developer McLaren. The plans outline two buildings between seven and ten storeys high on land bordered by Wansbeck Road, Monier Road, and Remus Road, incorporating community spaces and amenity areas. This initial request for a screening opinion, lodged last month, determines if a full Environmental Impact Assessment is needed before any planning application proceeds.​

What is the Proposed Development at Neptune Wharf?

The development centres on a plot in Fish Island, a district within Tower Hamlets noted for its transition from industrial use to mixed residential and creative spaces. According to details in the submission reported by MyLondon, McLaren Property, the developer, envisions two tower blocks rising to between seven and ten storeys. These structures would house more than 300 residential units, addressing housing needs in one of London’s most densely populated boroughs.​

As outlined in the documents submitted to the council, the scheme includes “community spaces and amenity space,” suggesting provisions for residents such as shared gardens, play areas, or public facilities. Fish Island’s location, near the Olympic Park and Hackney Wick, positions it as a hotspot for regeneration, where new housing could integrate with ongoing projects like those around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.​

No specific breakdown of unit types—such as the proportion of affordable housing—has been detailed in the screening opinion request, which focuses primarily on environmental screening rather than full design specifics. Tower Hamlets Council has yet to respond publicly to the submission, but such early-stage consultations are standard to guide developers on regulatory requirements.

Who is Behind the Tower Block Proposal?

McLaren Property, a well-established housing developer with a portfolio of urban regeneration projects across the UK, is spearheading the initiative. The company has experience in delivering high-density residential schemes in London, often blending private and affordable housing. In this case, as reported by MyLondon without naming a specific journalist, the submission attributes the proposal directly to McLaren’s planning team.​

The land in question lies at the intersection of Wansbeck Road, Monier Road, and Remus Road, an underutilised site amid Fish Island’s evolving landscape. McLaren’s involvement signals confidence in the area’s potential, given its proximity to transport links like Hackney Wick Overground station and the vibrant creative community in the vicinity.​

Local planning experts note that developers like McLaren often use screening opinions to mitigate risks early. “This step allows them to understand EIA obligations before investing in detailed studies,” explains a planning consultant familiar with Tower Hamlets processes, though not directly quoted in the MyLondon coverage.​

Why Was a Screening Opinion Submitted?

A screening opinion request, as described in the MyLondon article, is a preliminary step under UK planning law, not a full application for permission to build. Submitted last month—placing it around mid-January 2026—this document asks Tower Hamlets Council planning officers to assess whether the project’s scale and location necessitate a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).​

The EIA process evaluates potential effects on air quality, noise, traffic, ecology, and heritage, particularly relevant for a site near the Lee Navigation canal and industrial zones. MyLondon reports that the request reveals the potential new development without committing to it, allowing McLaren to gauge regulatory hurdles.​

Tower Hamlets Council, responsible for approving such schemes, uses these opinions to ensure compliance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. If an EIA is deemed necessary, the developer must produce a detailed report, which could delay but also strengthen the application.

What Are the Key Features of the Buildings?

The two proposed buildings would stand between seven and ten storeys tall, a height that balances density with the surrounding area’s character. MyLondon’s coverage highlights the inclusion of “community spaces and amenity space,” which could encompass rooftop terraces, ground-level plazas, or facilities for local use.​

At over 300 homes, the project aligns with London’s pressing need for new housing stock, where Tower Hamlets faces acute shortages amid high demand. The exact mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units remains unspecified at this stage, as the submission prioritises environmental scoping over architectural details.​

Fish Island’s context adds layers: the area has seen similar proposals, such as warehouse conversions into lofts, preserving its artistic vibe while accommodating growth. McLaren’s plans appear designed to fit this narrative, though public consultation would likely refine amenities in a full application.

How Does This Fit Tower Hamlets’ Housing Plans?

Tower Hamlets Council has long prioritised housing delivery through its Local Plan, targeting thousands of new homes by 2031 to meet population growth. Neptune Wharf’s proposal contributes to this, potentially easing pressure on social housing waiting lists that exceed 20,000 households.​

As MyLondon notes, the site’s strategic location supports the borough’s aims for sustainable development near public transport. However, residents and councillors often scrutinise tower blocks for impacts on privacy, overshadowing, and infrastructure strain—issues likely to surface if the project advances.​

Comparative schemes in Fish Island, like those by Ballymore or Peabody, have succeeded by mandating 40-50% affordable housing, a benchmark McLaren may need to meet under council policy.

What Happens Next in the Planning Process?

Following the screening opinion, McLaren will decide whether to proceed with an EIA or outline application. Tower Hamlets Council’s response, expected soon, will clarify requirements; a positive opinion without full EIA could accelerate timelines.​

Public engagement typically follows, with notices in local papers like East London Advertiser and site hoardings inviting feedback. Full planning applications undergo committee review, where ward councillors for Bow East or Bromley North—covering Fish Island—play key roles.​

If approved, construction might start in 2027, delivering homes by 2029, bolstering McLaren’s pipeline amid Labour’s national housing push.

What Are Potential Environmental Concerns?

The screening opinion anticipates scrutiny of the site’s canal proximity, flood risks, and air quality from nearby A12 traffic. Fish Island’s industrial past raises contamination issues, requiring remediation under EIA if mandated.​

MyLondon emphasises that community spaces could mitigate impacts, fostering biodiversity via green roofs or waterside paths. Heritage groups may flag views toward Three Mills or the Olympic legacy, though the modest seven-to-ten-storey height limits skyline intrusion.​

Local opposition, common in Tower Hamlets, could cite overdevelopment; past campaigns against taller towers in nearby Hackney Wick succeeded via resident mobilisation.

How Have Locals and Experts Reacted?

No direct reactions appear in the MyLondon report, published recently, as the submission is nascent. However, Fish Island’s creative community—home to studios and markets—often welcomes housing if it includes workspaces.​

Tower Hamlets Labour cabinet member for housing, Cllr Asma Islam, has championed regeneration but stressed affordability in past statements. McLaren’s track record, including schemes in nearby Stratford, suggests preparedness for scrutiny.

Planning consultant Rachel Ledwell of Lichfields, not linked to this project, notes:

“Screening opinions streamline processes, benefiting viable schemes like this.”

Expect resident associations like Fish Island Village to engage early.

Broader Context in East London Housing?

Tower Hamlets approved over 2,000 homes last year, per council data, amid a 10% rise in planning applications. Neptune Wharf exemplifies private-led delivery, complementing council sites like Samuda Estate.​

Government targets of 1.5 million homes by 2029 amplify pressure, with Trump’s US administration influencing UK supply chains indirectly via trade. In Fish Island, this proposal joins a pipeline exceeding 5,000 units, reshaping the post-Olympic landscape.