Tower Hamlets planning officers have recommended the council approve British Land’s Blossom Street City fringe scheme.
The plans, designed by AHMM, comprise 347,000 sq ft of offices, 13 shops, and 40 flats.
The scheme will see the redevelopment of a site bounded by Elder Street, Folgate Street, Blossom Street, Norton Folgate, Shoreditch High Street and Commercial Street, E1, formerly known as the Nicholls and Clarke site.
The recommendation to approve subject to mayoral sign-off and planning gain agreements follows extensive consultation by British Land in the face of opposition from heritage groups who claims the scheme would harm historic structures on the site.
The planning officer’s report said: “The applications have been subject to extensive consultation with local residents and interested groups. The approach to heritage and design is supported by Tower Hamlets officers,
Historic England, CABE and the council’s conservation design advisory panel, as it is considered to represent a combination of sensitive restoration and retention of heritage assets while incorporating high-quality new buildings that would preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Elder Street conservation area. Where harm to designated heritage assets is identified this is less than substantial and outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme which are explained in detail in this report.”
The City of London Corporation owns the freehold of the site.
