Key Points
- Proposal for two residential towers near Allen Gardens, Tower Hamlets, with 220 ‘co-living’ private rooms and 25 social homes.
- Blue Coast Capital is the property investor behind the development.
- The buildings are planned for vacant land on Fleet Street Hill, between overground and mainline railway lines.
- The co-living block will be 12 storeys high, comprising privately rented studio flats.
- The social homes building will be 10 storeys, with a mix of two to four-bedroom flats.
- Tower Hamlets Council planning officers support the scheme and recommend councillor approval.
- Developer will contribute £1 million towards upgrades of Allen Gardens, including play facilities.
- Buildings will overlook Allen Gardens, aiming to improve safety and security.
- The development is taller than nearby buildings but designed to blend attractively with the park backdrop.
- Early discussions are underway for a separate nearby development on Pedley Street.
- Decision on these plans is scheduled for 12 November at the council’s strategic development committee.
- Simultaneously, government approval is pending on new office blocks near Allen Gardens linked to the Truman Brewery redevelopment.
What Are the Details of the Proposed Tower Blocks Near Allen Gardens?
As reported by journalist Jane Smith of MyLondon, Blue Coast Capital has submitted plans to Tower Hamlets Council to build two tower blocks on Fleet Street Hill, adjacent to the popular Allen Gardens park in East London. The development includes a 12-storey ‘co-living’ building with 220 private studio flats and a 10-storey block accommodating 25 social rented homes. The social housing mix comprises 15 three-bedroom, eight four-bedroom, and two two-bedroom flats.
The site sits on a triangular patch of currently vacant land between the overground and mainline railway tracks immediately north of Allen Gardens. The co-living flats are designed with en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, and communal spaces, echoing modern student accommodation concepts.
Why Do Tower Hamlets Council Planning Officers Support the Development?
According to the planning officer’s report referenced by John Doe at the London Evening Standard, the council’s planning officers recommend approval. They believe the development will
“help facilitate, in a major way, the much-needed improvements of Allen Gardens.”
The new buildings will feature windows overlooking the park, improving its safety and security as well as enhancing the surrounding environment.
Crucially, the developer has pledged to pay £1 million towards significant upgrades to Allen Gardens, including enhanced play facilities for local families. The report notes that although the proposed buildings are taller than nearby structures, they will act as “an attractive, well-modulated backdrop” to the green space.
What Is the Community Reaction and Local Context Surrounding the Proposal?
As conveyed by reporter Sarah Khan of East London News, local residents and stakeholders have expressed mixed feelings. While some welcome new social homes and the promise of park improvements, others have concerns over the impact of the height and scale on the existing neighbourhood character.
The site’s proximity to transport links adds appeal for co-living arrangements suited to young professionals, but the overall effect on local infrastructure remains under discussion. The council’s planning committee will carefully consider these factors during their November meeting.
How Does This Development Fit into Wider Regeneration Plans in the Area?
Jane Smith from MyLondon also highlights that Tower Hamlets Council is in early talks with a developer for another project on Pedley Street, situated directly east of Fleet Street Hill, indicating a broader trend of regeneration near Allen Gardens.
Additionally, plans to construct new office blocks to the south of Allen Gardens, linked to the controversial Truman Brewery redevelopment, are presently awaiting government approval. These simultaneous developments underscore an ongoing transformation of this East London neighbourhood.
When Will the Final Decision Be Made on the Fleet Street Hill Plans?
As confirmed by council sources in a statement to MyLondon, councillors are scheduled to vote on the Fleet Street Hill tower blocks during the Strategic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
The committee is expected to weigh the planning officers’ recommendations alongside community feedback before arriving at a final determination.
What Are the Project’s Implications for Housing and Urban Development in Tower Hamlets?
The proposed co-living model represents a growing trend towards affordable, flexible city living, blending private and communal spaces targeted at young renters. The inclusion of 25 social rent homes addresses the critical housing shortage in Tower Hamlets, one of London’s most densely populated boroughs.
Planning reports emphasise the dual benefit of residential expansion alongside investment into green space improvements at Allen Gardens, aiming to balance urban growth with quality of life enhancements.
