Millwall Double Tower Development Moves Forward Despite Neighbor Concerns
Plans for a major residential and educational development in Millwall, featuring two substantial tower blocks and a specialized school, have been recommended for approval by Tower Hamlets planning officers. The proposal will be considered by councillors at the strategic development committee meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, March 3.
Development Details and Housing Provision
The ambitious project, submitted by real estate company Pirin Ltd, targets the Mastmaker Court site, currently occupied by warehouses. The development includes a 42-storey co-living building containing 843 shared living flats, designed similarly to modern student accommodation studios. Additionally, a 27-storey block would provide 153 affordable homes, with 121 units allocated for social rent and 32 for intermediate cost housing. A new special educational needs and disabilities school, capable of educating up to 100 children, completes the proposal.
Planning Officers' Assessment of Impacts
Council planning officers have conducted a thorough evaluation of the development's potential effects. Their report acknowledges significant concerns regarding the towers' impact on neighboring properties, particularly in nearby Alpha Grove. The assessment confirms that the buildings would reduce daylight and sunlight for adjacent residents and create substantial alterations to townscape views, especially when observed from western perspectives.
The planning department received 23 formal objections from the community, primarily focusing on the structures' considerable height and the consequent loss of natural light for surrounding homes. These concerns have been documented and considered in the official planning analysis.
Balancing Harms Against Public Benefits
Despite recognizing these negative impacts, planning officers have concluded that the development's public benefits outweigh the identified harms. Their recommendation emphasizes the provision of 996 new homes described as "much-needed" in the area, alongside the establishment of a specialized educational facility for children with special needs.
The officers' report explicitly states that while the towers would overshadow neighboring buildings and affect views, these consequences must be weighed against the broader community advantages. The strategic development committee will now make the final determination, considering both the documented concerns and the potential contributions to housing and education in the Millwall area.
