Residents consulted over plans for UK’s third tallest skyscraper

Chalegrove Properties, the London-based property developers, have begun consultation with local residents over the proposed construction of the UK’s third tallest skyscraper on London’s Isle of Dogs.

Should consultation be successful, the project will see the construction of a 239m residential tower, just five metres shorter than Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square and 70 metres shorter than The Shard.

Chalegrove Properties have submitted a second planning application developed from an original that has already received consent from Tower Hamlets Council, with the latest version including the provision of 864 new residential units on the Westferry Road site.

The plans for the 75-storey tower on the former site of the City Pride public house in London’s financial district are an updated version of plans approved in 2009, which were postponed as the developer went into receivership.

A Chalegrove Properties spokesperson has been quoted as saying: “The proposed development is a significant improvement on the existing planning consent.

“A graceful new tower will complement the Canary Wharf skyline and will complete the regeneration of this part of Marsh Wall, with a new cafe and grassed open space overlooking the water front.”

The developers are also seeking approval for the construction of 173 homes on nearby Island Point, with both schemes combined set to provide 35% social affordable housing.

A review of Tower Hamlets Council’s core strategy in 2010 found that 43,000 new homes would be needed in the borough by 2025 – equating to 2,885 per year. Of these, 2,640 residential units are required in Canary Wharf, whilst nearby Millwall and Cubitt Town require 6,150 and 4,190 respectively.

Despite the former plans receiving consent un-impeded, the current incarnation is likely to face staunch resistance from some local residents and council representatives as it is feared the project will place unnecessary strain on the infrastructure of the already crowded isle.

David Snowdon, Conservative councillor for Millwall, said: “This risks becoming another example of over-development on the Isle of Dogs. I will be objecting, and I’m sure many residents will be.”

“I don’t think the council recognises the problems. It’s not doing anywhere near enough to invest in infrastructure. The council has ignored development issues for years and years”, he added.

Consultation on the Westferry Road project is just one signal of a strong start to 2013 for London-based commercial property developers, with Search Office Space reporting yesterday on the approval of plans for a building colloquially dubbed ‘The Scalpel’ on Lime Street.