Plans approved to transform derelict hospital into 188 new family homes

A derelict East London hospital that has been empty for 16 years is set to be given a new lease of life after receiving full planning permission for an exciting new development that will provide 188 much-needed new homes in Tower Hamlets.

The former Queen Elizabeth Children’s Hospital on Hackney Road closed in 1996 and has remained vacant ever since. Now, under new plans recently agreed by the Mayor of London and Tower Hamlets Council, project partners Family Mosaic and Rydon will bring the site back into community use, delivering 188 new homes, 72 of which are affordable, and providing retail and community space and parking.

The developers are retaining and refurbishing the original historic façade on Hackney Road, as a permanent reminder of the site’s history.

The project incorporates 38 per cent affordable housing for both renting and buying and includes larger three or four-bedroomed family homes.

The scheme is part of the Mayor of London’s commitment to deliver 55,000 new affordable homes for Londoners to rent and to buy.

After visiting the site the Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Richard Blakeway said: “There is no greater priority than tackling London’s housing needs and it is imperative that long-standing empty sites are put back into use. This new development will deliver the good quality homes Tower Hamlets urgently requires to ease demand.

“The Mayor has ensured the design incorporates some of the original architecture of the former hospital, retaining the historic front façade as a permanent reminder of the site’s heritage. I’m confident this development will revitalise a site that has remained vacant for over 16 years and help bring it back into the heart of the community".

Mark Mitchener, Managing Director, Rydon Construction commented: “We’re delighted with the outcome and look forward to starting on site with a fantastic new development that will provide so many benefits for the local area. The outcome of this application is testament to our commitment to quality and the effort of the teams involved as well as the GLA’s strategy of releasing land to deliver much-needed housing for Londoners.”

Angela Wood from Family Mosaic said: ’This is a significant opportunity to build an outstanding development on a site that has been empty for 16 years. We believe our proposals will significantly enhance the local area. As well as providing much-needed new homes, it will create work and training opportunities for local people.’’

The development follows more than 12 months of planning and consultation by the project team, including HTA Design, LLP and Savills Planning, who have worked closely with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Mayor’s Office and the local community, to ensure plans for the site best meet local housing needs.

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