Plans submitted to demolish vacant Bow tower block to make way for 145 new social rent homes and new community centre

Key Points:

• Clare House in Bow has been vacant since 2021 after fire safety and structural concerns
• Clarion Housing Association has submitted a planning application to demolish the tower
• New plans propose a 23-storey tower and two five-storey mansion blocks
• All 145 new homes will be for social rent, including 16 wheelchair-accessible units
• Former Clare House residents have been offered the right to return
• The Francis Lee Community Centre will also be demolished and replaced
• Jasmine Park will be improved, and a new children’s play area called Sycamore Park will be created
• Public consultation saw one letter of support and six objections
• Tower Hamlets Council’s Strategic Development Committee will decide on 23 April 2025
• Planning officers recommend approval of the application

Plans to demolish Clare House, a long-vacant tower block in Bow, have been submitted by Clarion Housing Association as part of a major redevelopment project aimed at providing 145 new socially rented homes.

Why is Clare House in Bow set for demolition?

Clare House, a 22-storey residential tower built in the 1960s, has been unoccupied since October 2021 when residents were evacuated over serious fire safety and structural issues. Following a survey commissioned by landlord Clarion Housing Association, it was concluded the building could not be made safe without either major refurbishment or complete demolition.

Since then, Clare House has remained vacant, standing as the final surviving tower of the former Monteith Road Estate, also known as the Old Ford Road Estate. Its sister towers were demolished in 2002 under an earlier regeneration scheme.

What are the plans for the new housing development?

Clarion Housing has submitted a proposal to Tower Hamlets Council to demolish Clare House and replace it with a 23-storey tower alongside two five-storey mansion blocks. The development would deliver 145 new homes, distributed as follows:

• 39 one-bedroom flats
• 32 two-bedroom flats
• 52 three-bedroom flats
• 22 four-bedroom flats

Sixteen of the new homes would be fully wheelchair accessible. Importantly, all units would be offered at social rent levels.

According to the planning report, all former tenants of Clare House have been permanently rehomed but retain the right to return once the new development is completed.

What will happen to the Francis Lee Community Centre?

The Francis Lee Community Centre, a one-storey building attached to Clare House, has also been closed due to safety concerns. It too is set to be demolished under the new plans.

The proposal includes constructing a new and improved community facility offering 198.5 square metres of floorspace, providing modern amenities for local residents.

How will the plans affect local parks?

The development will see improvements made to Jasmine Park, which currently sits on the site. In addition, a new children’s play area named Sycamore Park is proposed to enhance recreational facilities for families in the area.

What was the response during the public consultation?

During the public consultation phase, 274 letters were sent to neighbouring properties. Only seven responses were received: one in support and six objections.

The supporter highlighted the potential to deliver much-needed new homes and described the scheme as an ‘architectural improvement’ for the site. Objections raised concerns about the scale of the new buildings, suggesting they were not ‘appropriate’ for the local area. Some also warned that an increase in population could put additional pressure on already overstretched local health services.

What do planning officers and the council recommend?

Planning officers concluded that the proposed redevelopment would help meet Tower Hamlets’ strategic housing targets and would deliver a ‘good standard’ of accommodation for future residents. They stated that the vacant site’s efficiency would be significantly improved, with a greater number of habitable rooms, including larger family-sized homes.

The application has been recommended for approval by the council’s Strategic Development Committee, which is set to make a final decision on Tuesday, 23 April 2025.