Plans for a significant new 18-storey residential tower in Walthamstow have been given the green light by local councillors, paving the way for 66 new homes despite concerns from some neighbours about its scale.
Council Green Lights Major Development
Waltham Forest Council's planning committee approved the scheme for Hoe Street at a meeting on 13th January. The proposal, submitted by Providence Capital Securities, will see the construction of a build-to-rent block containing 28 one-bedroom, 34 two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom flats. Of these, 17 will be classified as affordable housing, aimed at families unable to access homes at market rates.
The ground floor of the development is designated for new shops and commercial units. To make way for the tower, a two- and three-storey building dating from the 1880s—which contains flats and a vacant solicitor's office—will be demolished. This existing structure is a non-designated heritage asset and is not protected by listing.
Balancing Height with Housing Need
Council planning officers argued the tower's height was appropriate for the location, pointing to an existing cluster of tall buildings nearby, including the 16-storey Juniper House and a 14-storey Travelodge hotel. They stated the design would only cause a "minor loss" of open skyline and represented an improved scheme with more urban greening and amenity space compared to earlier versions.
The council's draft Local Plan, which guides development up to 2035, already identifies the site as suitable for an 18-storey block. A representative for the applicant told the committee, "If you were ever going to build homes in this borough, this is the location you would do it in." The plans include a £100,000 contribution from the developer to upgrade nearby playgrounds.
Objections and Fire Safety Revisions
The approval was not unanimous in the community, with six formal objections lodged. One resident living directly opposite the site warned the tower would be "overbearing" on existing residents, leading to darker homes and a more oppressive environment. No objectors attended the committee meeting to speak in person.
The scheme has been revised since initial proposals were backed in 2022. Changes include the addition of a second stairway to improve fire safety and making a western yard area private. The council is under pressure to increase its permanent housing stock, as costs for temporary accommodation continue to rise.
With independent assessors approving the impact on daylight, councillors concluded the public benefits of new housing, including affordable homes, outweighed the potential harm to the town centre's character.
