In response to queries raised by residents at a walkabout East End Homes, published at on this blog. Please find below East End Homes Response (Part 1 of 3) to the questions raised. Questions raised by residents are in bold text.
Residents need more information and transparency with regards to the planning application.
On the number, composition and fabric of units.
We believe the proposal is clear, 142 new homes will be created if the Council grants planning permission. Extensive consultation has taken place including a door-to-door survey undertaken by an independent organisation over 8 days knocking on the door of nearly 300 homes with 147 households spoken to and 140 households completing a detailed questionnaire. Where there was no response visits were made at least 3 times at varying times of the day to encourage maximum participation. Over 50% of households were spoken to during this period with 84% supporting the provision of more affordable homes for local people with 77% of those surveyed supporting the scheme. Follow up ‘drop-in sessions were held on the estate in July 2017 giving with further opportunity to comment and see both the survey results and the planned scheme. In addition newsletter and letters were distributed before, during and after the consultation process.
Of the 142 new units 41 will be affordable rented (split between LAR and THLR – as required by the planning authority) 15 will be let at intermediate rents (up to 80% of market rent but likely to be lower) with another 43 possibly being converted to intermediate depending on our discussion with the GLA over possible grant support.
The final design and materials used in construction are likely to be ‘conditioned’ as part of the planning application but the intention, as it has always been communicated to residents, is to utilise as much ‘off-site’ construction as possible to ensure disruption for existing residents is minimised.
On the apprenticeship programme for locals provided by the Gracewood, the contractor for the scheme.
Generally all new developments given planning permission by the Council are subject to a S106 agreement that will include local employment and skills training and are outlined in the Councils Supplementary Planning Document. See link below:
https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Planning-and-building-control/Development-control/Planning-obligations/Planning_Obligations_SPD_Sept_2016.pdf
Transparency also needs to be forthcoming in terms of any payments to or from Transport for London, with regards to the proposed development.
Please see link to Tower Hamlets Planning SPD above.
Timetable in terms of the construction of the new units
On the timetable of the construction of the units, therefore residents can plan around the anticipated disruption.
If the scheme proceeds it is anticipated that the installation of the prefabricated vertical extensions will take between 6-10 days to actually install, however, there will need to be considerable preparatory works and the block improvement works will need to be undertaken as well. In the overall terms the construction time will be significantly reduced compared to a traditional build and residents will be fully informed of the construction timetable prior to any works taking place.
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