The redevelopment of the bell foundry where Big Ben and the Liberty Bell were cast in Whitechapel has been narrowly approved by Tower Hamlets despite incurring more than 200 objections.
Raycliff Whitechapel, which lists James Ebel, chief executive of Harper Dennis Hobbs, as an LLP designated member on Companies House, plans to create new workspace and a hotel on the site, which was occupied by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry from the 1740s up to 2017.
The plans will see the Grade II* listed part of the site, known as the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, renovated to create new workspace and a café, while a 1980s building to the rear of the site will be demolished to make way for a new building rising up to seven storeys. It will house a new 74-room hotel with swimming pool, restaurant and bar space at ground and mezzanine level and additional workspace on the ground and first floors.
A minimum of 45% of the floor area of the historic foundry is to be provided to Tower Hamlets based businesses at affordable rent levels, of which 80% will be at the Greater London Authority affordable rent levels and the remaining 20% will be let at least 10% below the agreed comparable market rate.
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