Introduction 1 Produced by: Place-Shaping Team - Strategic Planning Planning and Building Control Service Central Area Place Directorate Graphic Design: Maddison Graphic Good Growth Photography: Photos on pages 8, 12, 22, 29, 38, 46, 54, 62, 70, 78, 86, 94, 102, 112 are by Ivan Jones. Photos without image sources on other pages are by the council. The remaining images have their sources/ Supplementary authorship individually noted. Planning Document Consultation Draft January 2021 2 Consultation draft January 2021 Consultation draft January 2021 3 Contents Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 7 Part B Guidelines for Good Growth .............................................................................. 137 1.1 Overview of the document .................................................................................... 8 1.2 Policy context ........................................................................................................ 9 5. Character-based Growth Principles ..................................................................... 139 1.3 Consultation ........................................................................................................ 10 5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 140 1.4 How to use this SPD .......................................................................................... 11 5.2 Reinforcement ................................................................................................... 142 1.5 Glossary .............................................................................................................. 13 5.3 Mediation .......................................................................................................... 144 5.4 Reinvention ....................................................................................................... 146 Part A Character Appraisal .............................................................................................. 19 6. Design Toolkit for Small Sites ............................................................................... 149 6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 150 2. Overview ................................................................................................................... 21 6.2 How to use this toolkit ....................................................................................... 151 2.1 The Central Area: Setting the scene ................................................................... 22 New build ............................................................................................................... 154 The Central Area: Timeline ....................................................................................... 24 Streetscape infill 3. Central Area Character Places ................................................................................ 27 (between parallel blank gables) ......................................................................... 154 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 28 Corner infill 3.2 Bow ..................................................................................................................... 30 (corner infill site at node) .................................................................................... 160 3.3 Bow Common ..................................................................................................... 38 Block extension 3.4 Globe Town ......................................................................................................... 46 (one blank gable to build off from) ...................................................................... 166 3.5 Limehouse .......................................................................................................... 54 Garden infill ........................................................................................................ 171 3.6 Mile End .............................................................................................................. 62 Backland 3.7 Poplar .................................................................................................................. 70 (no current access to street) .............................................................................. 175 3.8 Shadwell ............................................................................................................. 78 Detached site ..................................................................................................... 179 3.9 Stepney ............................................................................................................... 86 Extensions ............................................................................................................. 182 3.10 Victoria Park ...................................................................................................... 94 Roof extensions 3.11 Wapping .......................................................................................................... 102 (added to host building) ..................................................................................... 182 4. Central Area Housing Typologies ......................................................................... 111 Rear extensions 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 112 (added to host building) ..................................................................................... 186 Georgian & Victorian Housing Growth .................................................................... 114 Other common constraints .................................................................................. 189 Interwar Housing Provision ..................................................................................... 118 Near railway ....................................................................................................... 189 Postwar ‘Visionary Housing Provision’ .................................................................... 120 Near high-traffic road ......................................................................................... 190 Waterfront Housing Development ........................................................................... 124 Along Thames/canal .......................................................................................... 191 Late 20th Century Urban & Suburban ..................................................................... 128 In town/neighbourhood centre ........................................................................... 192 21st Century Urban Housing Growth ...................................................................... 132 7. Design Principles for Residential Developments ............................................... 195 7.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 196 7.2 Scale and proportions ....................................................................................... 197 7.3 Relationship with street and public realm ......................................................... 198 7.4 Mixed uses & Mixed tenures ............................................................................. 199 7.5 Internal spaces .................................................................................................. 200 7.6 External Spaces ................................................................................................ 201 7.7 Amenity: Light, Privacy & Outlook ..................................................................... 202 7.8 Bin and Bike Storage ........................................................................................ 203 7.9 Materials and detailing ...................................................................................... 204 7.10 Sustainable Design ......................................................................................... 205 7.11 Embodied Energy ............................................................................................ 206 7.12 Sustainable Systems ...................................................................................... 207 4 Consultation draft January 2021 Introduction Introduction Consultation draft January 2021 5 1. Introduction 6 Consultation draft January 2021 Introduction Introduction Consultation draft January 2021 7 1.1 Overview of the document 1.2 Policy context Tower Hamlets has the highest target for enhance the well-established character of With a well-established and sensitive Area Good Growth SPD provides guidance new homes in the London Plan Intent to this part of the borough. character, and limited opportunities for as to how these housing developments Publish Version 2019. The Tower Hamlets significant redevelopment, the Central Area should be delivered in order to ensure that Local Plan 2031 sets out how the borough In addition to helping the council deliver its will go through a gradual intensification, they are sympathetic to the surrounding will grow and develop in the next 10 years. vision for the Central Area, the SPD also mainly through housing